The compilation of evidence against Bojan Cmelik, who is accused of the murder of entrepreneur Hugo Chetcuti, continued on Wednesday.
In a brief hearing, the court heard from the pathologists who carried out the victim's autopsy, and who confirmed the cause of death as a bloodstream infection stemming from the bowel perforation caused by the stabbing.
A DNA expert told the court that while Mr Cmelik's DNA was found on the handle of the knife used to stab Mr Chetcuti, the probability of a match was lower than usual.
Mr Cmelik sat silently throughout the hearing, wearing a white bulletproof vest beneath a suit.
How things unfolded in court
1pm: It seems that that's all we'll be hearing today. The case has been adjourned until October. Mr Cmelik is handcuffed before being escorted out of the courtroom.
12.55pm: On a final question by presiding magistrate Marse-Ann Farrugia, the pathologists confirm that the cause of death was septicaemia, an infection of the bloodstream.
12.45pm: The pathologists did not find the bowel perforations because the victim had been operated upon and part of the bowel removed, they testify, but specimens sent to the pathology department showed the perforations. Death was caused by perforation of the bowel through the stab wound and generalised infection.
12.40pm: Pathologists Marie Therese Camilleri Podesta and Ali Salfraz will be jointly testifying next. The pair carried out the postmortem on the victim, and determined the cause of death as widespread infection after bowel perforation.
12.35pm: Lawyer Joseph Giglio, appearing parte civile, asks for clarification. He points out that the knife had a 60 centimetre blade and a black hilt. The expert reiterates that Mr Cmelik's DNA on the handle had a lower probability - in terms of a match - than usual. She goes on to state that the highest concentration of blood - matching Mr Chetcuti - was found on the furthest point of the blade, closest to the handle.
12.25pm: Dr Cassar is presenting her report under oath. The expert confirms that DNA samples from Mr Cmelik's clothes, straw hat and trainers matched the accused. DNA on the knife blade matched Mr Chetcuti, while samples from the handle - as we had previously heard - matched the accused, the victim, and a third person. The probability of Mr Cmelik's DNA on the handle was lower than usual.
12.15pm: We're hearing that a DNA expert, Marisa Cassar, will be the first to testify. Dr Cassar had analysed DNA found on the knife used in the stabbing. At a hearing in July it was revealed that DNA on the knife belonged to a third person - neither the victim nor the accused.
12.05pm: The hearing will be starting soon. Mr Cmelik has just entered the court room. He is wearing a white bulletproof vest under his suit jacket, with armed security following him close. Isaac Chetcuti, the victim's brother, is also in the court, speaking to lawyer Joseph Giglio, who is appearing in parte civile. Mr Chetcuti leaves before the hearing begins.
What has happened so far?
Magistrate Marse Ann Farrugia has already ruled that there is enough evidence for the accused to stand trial over the July stabbing. In the last hearing on September 10, the court heard how Mr Chetcuti was rushed into surgery 21 minutes after he arrived in hospital following the attack, suffering massive blood-loss. Surgeons who saw to the victim at Mater Dei Hospital testified how he was completely stable after a first operation, before later complications led to multiple organ failure within three days. Mr Chetcuti died six days after the stabbing, after contracting an infection from a type of pneumonia bacteria.
Inspector Nikolai Sant is prosecuting, Ishmael Psaila is defence lawyer and Joseph Giglio and Sarah Mifsud are appearing parte civile.
Mr Chetcuti was killed in July. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli