Bernice murder: Roderick Cassar showed no remorse in police interrogations over wife’s murder, court hears
The court is hearing the compilation of evidence against Roderick Cassar, accused of murdering his wife, in the first case since femicide was introduced in the Criminal Code
Roderick Cassar showed no remorse during interrogations over his wife’s murder, police testified in court on Tuesday.
The compilation of evidence against Roderick Cassar started on Tuesday with Inspector Wayne Camilleri testifying on the day of the crime and Cassar’s arrest.
Cassar is accused of murdering his wife Bernice in the first case since femicide was introduced in the Criminal Code.
“We had no doubt on the cause of death, but what was interesting is that the fatal shot was the shot to the face, not the first shot on her chest,” Camilleri explained.
He said that the biggest issue during the police operation to arrest Roderick Cassar was his children. At the time, police weren’t sure if the children were at school or with their father inside the apartment.
Eventually, police confirmed that his children were at school ,meaning Cassar was probably alone at home.
Cassar was arrested in his Qrendi apartment after a 17-hour stand-off with police. The Special Intervention Unit (SIU) made a forced entry into his apartment at around 2am.
“I want to explain why the operation took so long,” he said in court. Camilleri explained that police were communicating with Cassar, who was still in possession of the firearm he is alleged to have murdered his wife with.
“Roderick Cassar started to say that he was suicidal and wanted to kill himself but was too scared to do so. He wanted police to do it for him,” Camilleri said.
During interrogation, Camilleri said “in my opinion, he showed no emotion”. The defence immediately objected to his use of opinion, and presiding magistrate Joseph Mifsud agreed.
However, the magistrate clarified his point. “You can say that he didn’t show emotion, but not as an opinion.”
The case was presided over by Magistrate Joseph Mifsud. Lawyers Franco Debono and Marion Camilleri appeared as defence counsel for Cassar. Lawyers Angele Vella and Anthony Vella appeared on behalf of the Office of the Attorney General. Inspector Wayne Camilleri was present on behalf of the Commissioner for Police.
Cassar, 42, from Qrendi, stands charged of murdering Bernice Cassar, when he shot her at the Corradino industrial estate last week while she was heading to work. Bernice was hit in the face and chest and died on the spot.
Roderick Cassar pleaded not guilty.
The couple had two young children, who were at school when the murder happened.
Bernice Cassar had filed several reports of domestic violence against her husband and even moved out of the family home with her children in May. On the eve of her murder, she had filed another police report, claiming her husband had breached a protection order issued by the court in July.
Roderick Cassar was arrested after a 17-hour standoff with police after he locked himself up inside his house. Police eventually raided the house and Cassar was arrested and the weapon allegedly used in the murder, a shotgun, was seized.
Roderick Cassar was charged with wilful femicide, holding his victim against her will, using violence, including moral and psychological violence, using a firearm while committing a crime and possession of a firearm without permit. Other charges include stealing the victim's mobile phone and car key, and the wilful damage to her property and threatening a bystander.
This is the first time that femicide is being used as an aggravating offence in a court of law after it was introduced in the Criminal Code earlier this year, following the New Year's Day murder of Paulina Dembska.
Lawyers Franco Debono and Marion Camilleri are defence counsel. Lawyers Stefano Filletti and Marita Pace Dimech are appearing parte civile for the victim's family.