Updated: - Richard Grech, 44, also known as Iz-Zinanna of Qormi, was this evening jailed for life after jurors found him guilty of the murder of bank messenger Alphonse Ferriggi on September 18, 2000 outside a San Ġwann branch of Bank of Valletta.
The 8-1 verdict was delivered after 11 hours of deliberation. The accused, as well as the victim's widow, Mary Ferriggi, stood emotionless as sentence was read out.
Alphonse Ferriggi was delivering mail when he was shot in the head at almost point blank range and left for dead on the pavement. His assailants thought the mail bags he was carrying contained money.
Another man, the getaway driver, Joseph Zammit, is already in jail for his part in the murder.
On the witness stand on Friday, Mr Grech pointed a finger of blame at another two men, James Vella, known as Il-Frejżer, and Chris Scerri known as Gazzetti or Buttuni. He claimed Mr Vella was the mastermind of the whole operation.
Grech denied being on the scene of the crime, claiming that because he was an alcoholic, he got out of the car to go and have a drink moments before Mr Vella and Mr Scerri drove to the bank and carried out the hold-up.
Lawyer Aaron Bugeja from the Attorney General’s Office is prosecuting while lawyers Chris Cardona and Mark Vassallo appeared for Mr Grech.