Hamrun murder: Accused claims he was attacked while trying to settle argument

The compilation of evidence surrounding the murder of 21-year old Brandon Pace earlier this month began today with Magistrate Aaron Bugeja presiding over proceedings. Joseph Grech, 53, and his 23-year old son Kurt Grech stand accused of voluntary homicide.

Brandon Pace died after being stabbed, allegedly by Kurt Grech, at his home on Giovanni Barbara Street Hamrun on the 2 April this year. The court heard that the argument that eventually led to Pace’s death involved a total of five individuals.

Police inspector Keith Arnaud explained that the victim’s mother, Lisa Pace, said she had seen Joseph Grech stab her son in the back, leading to his death.

According to Arnaud, Joseph and Kurt Grech, Joseph Grech’s wife, Brandom Pace and his mother as well as Jessica Bilocca were all involved in the argument. Pace’s sister arrived after the fight had already started.

The incident revolves around a dispute about Kurt Grech’s son with Jessica Bilocca – Brandon Pace’s girlfriend. Arnaud told the court that fight broke out as a result of an argument about whom the infant had been left with earlier in the day. This, he said, led to harsh exchange between Bilocca and Grech’s mother.

Arnaud said that Grech had told him that he drove to the victim’s residence to speak with Bilocca and settle the argument in person, with Grech’s parents also driving to Bilocca’s residence at roughly the same time. 

Basing his testimony on multiple statements to the police, the inspector said that after the Grech family arrived and started shouting in the direction of Pace’s residence, Bilocca, Pace’s mother and the victim started throwing tiles at them from their balcony.

The victim’s mother then went downstairs and confronted the Grechs. She urged her son not to follow her in order to avoid making the situation worse.

It was alleged that the victim followed his mother wielding a knife to protect himself. Grech admitted to also being in possession of two knives, and told Arnaud in a statement that he had done so because he knew what Pace, the victim, was capable of.

Moreover, he told the inspector that he was not aware that Pace was inside the apartment when he arrived.

Grech’s family maintained that when the victim came out of his residence he immediately attacked Grech.

The victim’s mother claimed that towards the end of the fight, she witnessed Joseph Grech taking one final stab at her son from behind.

Following the fight, Grech also had to be treated for a stab wound to the chest, Bilocca was treated for a stab wound in her leg while Grech’s mother was treated for shock.

Lawyers Roberto Montalto and Noel Bianco appeared for the accused.