Matthew Mizzi jailed for 6.5 years after jury returns mixed verdict

The jury trying a man accused of complicity in a violent Birkirkara hold-up are reported to have returned a mixed verdict at around midnight last night.

Mizzi, on trial for complicity in the 2009 hold-up of Seven Mobile shop in Psaila Street, during which a shopkeeper suffered gunshot wounds, is understood to have been jailed for six and a half years after being found guilty of complicity in theft, aggravated by means and amount  Mizzi's sentence is less than half that handed to the actual robber, Jonathan Coleiro, who was jailed for fifteen years after he had admitted the accusations to avoid a trial by jury.

Reports just in from the courtroom suggest that Mizzi has been found guilty of complicity in theft, albeit without the aggravating factor of violence. He was found not guilty of complicity in attempted wilful homicide and of supplying the firearm used for the commission of the crime.

Mizzi was also found guilty of driving without a licence or insurance.

The verdict was announced a few hours after the 9 men and 3 women forming the jury had retired to deliberate on the verdict for each of the 4 heads of indictment, as the 14th day of the trial drew to a close.

Lawyers Elaine Mercieca and Ann Marie Cutajar from the office of the Attorney General prosecuted. Lawyers Michael Sciriha, Lucio Sciriha and Christopher Chircop were Mizzi's defence counsel.