Rosso murder: Victim was threatened by a group of Sicilians, ex-police chief testifies

Former police commissioner John Rizzo took the witness stand on Tuesday morning as the trial of two men accused of the murder of Albert Brian Rosso continued.

Anthony Bugeja, 55, and 48-year-old Piero Di Bartolo are indicted with the wilful homicide of Rosso and dumping his body at sea in 2005.

The jury is presided by Madam Justice Consuelo Scerri Herrera.

Testifying before the jury, Rizzo recalled how Rosso had asked for a meeting with the then commissioner. When the meeting was held, Rosso had told Rizzo that he was being threatened by a group of Sicilian men, suggesting the name Sebastian Lupo, who was joint owner of Rosso’s fishing vessel.

Judge Consuelo Scerri Herrera (second from right) at the scene of the crime (Photo: James Bianchi/mediatoday)

Rizzo told the jury that the victim had called him up a week before his disappearance and mentioned a man who he had described as notorious.

Rosso had spoken about the threats to several people, including his wife and co-workers, said the witness, confirming that Rosso would carry a firearm on his person because of the threats.

On the day of his disappearance, someone had alighted from the victim’s van, climbed into the passenger seat of a waiting car, which drove away.

The victim had been involved in an ongoing dispute with his business partner and ex-business partner over money which they claimed they were owed, explained Rizzo.

Lawyers Franco Debono and Arthur Azzopardi with their client Anthony Bugeja (Photo: James Bianchi/mediatoday)

Rosso was last seen leaving his workplace at San Lucjan, where he was supposed to meet Anthony Bugeja.

Cross-examined by the defence, Rizzo confirmed that the victim had mentioned an Italian police officer who had allegedly discussed illegal and mafia-related activity with him, but said the Maltese police had been unable to trace him.

The threats to Rosso would not be made directly, but would be communicated to him through the defendants Bugeja and Di Bartolo.

Judge rejects defence request to dissolve the jury

The court on Tuesday also refused a request by the defence for the dissolution of the jury. The lawyers argued that the testimony about what the wife of one of the defendants had told the police was “conjecture” and therefore, inadmissible.

The judge, while declaring the testimony to be inadmissible, ruled that information disclosed to the police in confidence does not constitute evidence. She rejected the defence’s request to dissolve the jury.

Rosso's workmates saw him worried

Albert Brian Rosso told Fisheries Department director about Sebastiano Lupo’s threats to set his fishing boat on fire.

When the trial by jury resumed after lunch, Adriana Fenech Farrugia, a Fisheries Department official and colleague of Rosso’s, took the stand. She used to share an office with the victim and recalled finding a very worried Rosso sitting in front of his computer with his head in his hands shortly before his disappearance.

Rosso was normally energetic, she said. The witness confirmed that he would carry a dark coloured pouch at all times. A previous witness had yesterday told the trial that he kept a handgun in the pouch, due to fears for his life. Fenech Farrugia also said that Rosso had told her about receiving phone calls from his wife about owing money, at a time when he was involved in a deal involving a boat.

Next to take the stand was Dr Anthony Gruppetta, Director General of the Fisheries Department at the time. He recalled how, on the day of Rosso’s disappearance, he had received a phone call from the Zabbar police station asking him to report there.

Gruppetta said he had refused, until the police told him where Rosso was, suggesting that they also look for him at San Lucjan tower. Although the man was not found there, CCTV showed that he had been at that location and subsequently leaving it, he said.

Rosso was the licensed owner of the fishing vessel Desiree, he said, adding that the victim would have many conflicts with its Italian captain Sebastian Lupo until Anthony Bugeja entered the picture and started discussions to take over half of Lupo’s share in the boat.
Rosso had told Gruppetta that Lupo was threatening to come back and set fire to the boat.

Lawyers Arthur Azzopardi and Franco Debono are representing Bugeja, with lawyer Roberto Montaldo appearing for Di Bartolo. Lawyer Stefano Filletti is parte civile.

Lawyers Angele Vella and Andrea Zammit from the Office of the Attorney General are prosecuting.