Trial by jury over 1993 murder of Vittorio Cassone in St Julian's, begins

Mr Justice Antonio Mizzi is presiding a jury that has just started over the murder of an Italian businessman that took place 23 years ago.

The murder of Vittorio Cassone had taken place January 1993 at an Italian-themed restaurant in St Julian’s, the Buongustaio Chef Italy.

Cassone, who was 58 years old at the time, had been serving patrons when a masked man got out of a van that pulled up outside the restaurant and rushed into the restaurant. Despite having handed over some Lm150 (€350), Cassone was shot in the chest by the escaping robber and died at the scene.

The crime took place in 1993, but police at the time had felt that there was insufficient evidence to press charges, prosecuting lawyer Kevin Valletta told the 6 female and 5 male jurors. In 2003 Inspector Chris Pullicino had reopened the investigation. “This time, in 2003, he had said he was 100% convinced that the accused was responsible for the crime.”

This afternoon, former Assistant Commissioner of Police Emmanuel Cassar, who had been an inspector at the time of the investigation in question, took to the witness stand. He had been informed that a shooting had taken place near the Chef Italy so he had gone to the scene, he said explaining that he had been told that a masked, armed man had entered the shop. A female shopper had given the robber her handbag, but the victim, Cassone, was flustered and was unable to open the till. He was shot, collapsing behind the counter.

The robber had been wearing a pair of nylon tights over his face and a black jacket, the witness said.

The woman's purse was subsequently recovered, money, ID cards still inside. Lm150 had been in the cash register but these were not found.

The accused, who had been on the run from prison at the time, having escaped with a group of other inmates, had turned himself in at the police depot but had chosen not to answer questions. He had been on the run for several weeks, the witness recalled.

In 1993, CID offices had been alongside each other. Cassar said he had decided to question the 4 witnesses; the female customer and three employees, in separate offices.

Jurors were shown photos of several identification parades that had taken place at the time, in the presence of inquiring magistrate Carol Peralta. During the compilation of evidence Pullicino had exhibited the ID parade photos of a number of people whom he had questioned.

The murder weapon was not found at the time, he said.

The accused, then 17 years old, had declined to answer the police's questions or sign the statement prepared for him. The judge explained that this choice was his right and “neutral” - no inferences could be drawn from this choice.

Cassar will continue his testimony tomorrow.

The court has imposed a ban on the publication of the name of the accused, due to the fact that the robber, a Cospicua man who is currently in jail, had been a minor at the time.

Lawyers Kevin Valletta and Anne Marie Cutajar from the office of the Attorney General are prosecuting.

Lawyers Franco Debono and Marion Camilleri are defence counsel.