The daughter of a man accused of attempted murder yesterday recalled the moment her father walked into the house shocked at having had to defend himself against his brother-in-law, who was considered the black sheep of the family.
Romina Spiteri, 31, was called to testify by lawyers defending Carmel Vella, 58, of Xewkija, who is standing trial accused of trying to kill Carmel Xerri, now deceased, by hitting him on the head with a crowbar in April 2007 in Xewkija.
Ms Spiteri told jurors that Mr Xerri, also of Xewkija, had not spoken to any members of the extended family in years. On the day of the incident she was at her grandmother’s house, which was like a club for her 12 aunts and uncles, with the family coming and going as they pleased. Her father walked in and said in shock that he had hit Mr Xerri over the head with a crowbar after Mr Xerri appeared out of nowhere, got a mason’s set square from Mr Vella’s van and tried to hit him with it. He then told his family they should lock their doors and put their cars in the garage just in case Mr Xerri returned to seek revenge.
Her father was never the same man following that incident, she said.
Ms Spiteri’s aunt and the victim’s sister, Pawla Xerri, confirmed her brother was the odd one out. If he happened to have an argument with one of them he would stop talking to the whole family. This would go on for years even if the disagreement over a petty matter.
On Monday, the court heard medical evidence that Mr Vella sustained a depressed fracture to his skull as a result of the blow but had no other complications except headaches.
Doctors Michael Portelli and Natalie Grech Ellis and neurosurgeon Johanna Van’t Verlaat said Mr Xerri’s injury was not critical. Their testimony was, however, contradicted by that of forensic pathologist Mario Scerri, who described it as life threatening.
Jurors are expected to retire to deliberate this morning.
Lawyers Aaron Bugeja, Francois Dalli and Maurizio Cordina, from the Attorney General’s Office prosecuted.
Lawyers Giannella Caruana Curran, Joseph Giglio and Steve Tonna Lowell appeared for the accused.