Cassone murder | Judge begins final address

The man on trial, whose name the media is prohibited from publishing, is accused of killing 58-year-old Vittorio Cassone in a botched hold-up

After Judge Antonio Mizzi finishes his address, the jury will retire to deliberate and return a verdict
After Judge Antonio Mizzi finishes his address, the jury will retire to deliberate and return a verdict

Judge Antonio Mizzi has begun summing up the arguments made by the prosecution and defence in the trial by jury of a man accused of a 1993 murder.

The man on trial, whose name the media is prohibited from publishing, is accused of killing 58-year-old Vittorio Cassone in a botched hold-up at the Buongustaio Chef Italy in St. Julian's.

Cassone had died at the scene after being shot in the chest by a masked robber, despite having handed over Lm150 (€350) to the criminal.

Over the past days, defence lawyer Franco Debono is estimated to have made some ten hours of final submissions to the jury. 

After the judge finishes his address, the jury will retire to deliberate and return a verdict.

The court has imposed a ban on the publication of the name of the accused, due to the fact that the robber, who is currently serving time for other offences, 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.