A 36-year-old hawker was remanded in custody after pleading not guilty to the attempted murder of his neighbour during a fight at a block of apartments in Ħamrun.
The incident involving the accused, Justin Mula, and a 42-year-old man who suffered grievous injuries with a pointed object happened on Monday afternoon in Dun Frans Camilleri Street.
The court, presided over by Magistrate Tonio Micallef Trigona, acceded to the defence’s request to appoint a psychiatrist to examine the stress levels of the accused, allegedly caused by the victim in the preceding seven years.
Defence lawyer Arthur Azzopardi pointed out that his request was not an attempt to justify the behaviour of his client on the grounds of insanity. No request for bail was filed.
Lawyers Franco Debono and Amadeus Cachia appeared for the victim. Police inspector Eliot Magro prosecuted.