Accused in Birkirkara stabbing murder claims self-defence

A man accused of murder in a Birkirkara incident has insisted with police that he stabbed his victim, in an act of self-defence.

Sgt Brady Zammit was testifying in the case against Etienne Bartolo, known as ‘il-Vojt’, 36 of Birkirkara, who stands accused of the murder of Roderick Grech.

Grech, 26 of Naxxar and known as ‘China’, died at Mater Dei Hospital two days after the 29 March stabbing, when he was found in Birkirkara suffering from the stab wounds.

Zammit said that Bartolo had claimed that he had met up with Grech to buy drugs from him, and when he was in the car with him, informed him he had no money to pay for the drugs. Bartolo then said that Grech hit him on the shoulder, to which he responded by taking out his knife because he was scared. He stabbed him and ran from the crime scene.

Sgt Zammit said that in a raid on Bartolo’s house, they had found a pair of shoes that had been stained with blood, under a bed.

Magistrate Donatella Frendo Dimech is hearing the compilation of evidence. Inspector Kurt Zahra is prosecuting, while Edward Gatt appeared as defence counsel for Bartolo.

Lawyers Franco Debono, Yanika Vidal and Angie Muscat are appearing in parte civile for the Grech family.