Updated | Blood covered the victim’s head and neck – Investigating officer

Pasqualino Cefai, who in 2012 stabbed a plaintiff during a court sitting in the Gozo Court, is today facing a trial by jury, charged with the attempted murder of Joseph Portelli.

Pasqualino Cefai, 39, is facing a trial by jury accused of the attempted murder of Joseph Portelli, 56, during a court sitting at the Gozo Courts.

On 6 June 2012, Magistrate Audrey Demicoli was presiding over a civil case between Cefai and Portelli, both hailing from Zebbug, Gozo. The court ordered the seizure of two of Cefai’s trucks, which were to be sold off in order to pay Portelli compensation. 

Cefai argued that his family’s livelihood depended on these trucks and that he had a wife and two children to feed, and threatened the plaintiff, saying that he would “pay for this”. After repeatedly being interrupted with rude remarks by the defendant, Magistrate Demicoli ordered him out of the courtroom.

However, moments after leaving the hall, Cefai ran back inside the courtroom shouting, “You’re going to starve my family to death” and repeated stabbed Portelli. The victim sank to the floor but the aggressor kept stabbing him.

After being repeatedly stabbed by the accused, Portelli sank to the ground in a pool of blood. Cefai then bent over him and continued to stab him as various people tried to get him off his victim.

Portelli was stabbed more than 15 times in his neck and upper body with a 10-centimetre blade. At one point, the knife stuck in the victim’s back but Cefai pulled it out and continued stabbing the other man. A lawyer tried to intervene but held back when he saw Cefai’s blade.

Cefai then walked out of the courtroom, which stood in shock. He left the building unhindered and 45 minutes later turned himself in at a police station.

“He told officers he was sorry for his actions and felt depressed. Cefai was referred to Mount Carmel Hospital for medical checks. When a psychiatrist confirmed the accused was fit for interrogation, Inspector Chris Pullicino questioned him over the incident. But Cefai remained silent. He also refused to sign his statement.

Following the opening address by Mr Justice Michale Mallia and the address of the prosecution, Inspector Bernard Spiteri took the witness stand as the first to give evidence in this trial by jury.

On the day of the incident, Magistrate Josette Demicoli called the Victoria Police Station and told the inspector on duty she had, “no good news to give him, because a stabbing had just taken place inside her courtroom”.

Following the call, Inspector Spiteri and Sergeant Scerri called at the Gozo Courts. A medical team was already present. Portelli lay on the floor, his head and neck covered in blood. The victim, crying in pain, was rushed to hospital by ambulance. Blood splatter was evident on the walls of the courtroom and across the floor.

During the compilation of evidence against the accused, Psychiatrist Joseph Vella Baldacchino said that Cefai had a family history of mental health problems and was under a psychiatrist’s care. However, time had passed since he last met the doctor and he had also stopped taking the pills he had been prescribed for at least a month before the incident.

The psychiatrist had also alleged that his assessment of Cefai was not in-depth because he was put under pressure by the police as wanted to see if they could arraign the man.

Pasqualino Cefai is accused of attempting to murder Joseph Portelli, grievously injuring Portelli and lawyer Kevin Mompalao, causing more than €1,400 in damage inside the courtroom, being in possession of a penknife without a police licence, breaching bail conditions, committing a crime during a suspended sentence and relapsing.

Only timely medical interventions saved him - Prosecution

In her address, prosecutor Lara Lanfranco told jurors that during the incident Portelli received multiple injuries that threatened his life. “All 15 wounds were certified as grievous, leaving him in critical condition. It was only thanks to medical interventions, reasons totally beyond Cefai’s control, that Portelli survived”, she explained.

“Lawyer Kevin Mompalao suffered grievous injuries to his arm. The wound left permanent scaring on the lawyer’s arm, while Bailiff Michelangelo Bajada was slightly injured. The two were wounded when they tried to pull Cefai off his victim”, Dr Lanfranco said.

The trial continues, with more officers taking the witness stand.

The prosecution is led by lawyers Lara Lanfranco, Gianella Buttigieg and Vinciene Vella from the Attorney General’s office, while Dr Edward Gatt and Dr Mark Vassallo are appearing for the accused.

Mr Justice Michael Mallia is presiding.

The prosecution is currently addressing the jurors.