Victor Pace, 42, of Birkirkara was sentenced to 30 months in prison after the jurors found him not guilty of attempted murder and guilty of trying to cause grievous injuries to his brother-in-law.
Mr Pace was being accused of firing gunshots in the direction of his wife’s brother with the intent to kill him or endanger his life on August 5, 2000 in Bahar ic-Caghaq.
The jurors found Mr Pace not guilty of the attempted murder of his brother-in-law with seven votes against two. At the same time, the jurors found Mr Pace guilty with seven votes against two of trying to cause grievous injuries to Christopher Zarb and unanimously guilty of carrying and using a firearm without a police permit. The sentence is expected to be given later by Mr Justice Joseph Galea Debono.
Mr Pace was being accused of firing gunshots in the direction of his wife’s brother with the intent to kill him or endanger his life on August 5, 2000 in Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq.
The verdict was given on Wednesday afternoon following the summing up of the case made by Mr Justice. On Tuesday morning, the jurors together with Mr Justice Joseph Galea Debono, the defence lawyers and the prosecution carried out an on-site inquiry. Later during the day, the jurors continued to hear the submissions of the defence and the prosecution.
Lawyer Dr Anglu Farrugia appeared for the accused together with Dr Edward Gatt, had stated that it is clear that Christopher Zarb was not on the roof when Mr Pace fired the gunshots. He argued that this was not an attempted murder not only because Mr Zarb was not on the roof but also because there is no proof that the accused fired in the direction of Mr Zarb.
Victor Pace’s brothers Silvio Pace and Francis Pace witnessed for the defence. They said that when they were at Mr Zarb’s house carrying out some works, the latter’s wife used to dress in a dishonest way.
The prosecution that was being led by Assistant Attorney General Anthony Barbara, said that Victor Pace went to Bahar ic-Caghaq with the intention to kill Mr Zarb. Anthony Barbara added that the fact that Mr Pace called the Family Zarb and threatened them, means that the intention of Mr Pace is only to kill Mr Zarb.
See also:
Man stands trial on attempted murder in 2000
By MaltaMedia News - Jan 23, 2006, 16:10 CET
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