Jury continues in stabbing case at Gozo courts

The trial by jury of Pasqualino Cefai continues

“The time for games is over”, defence lawyer Edward Gatt told the nine-man jury this morning, as the trial by jury of Pasqualino Cefai entered its fourth day.

Cefai, 39, of Zebbug, Gozo, who stands accused of the attempted murder of 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.

The incident happened on 6 June 2012 during a hearing at the Gozo Courts. Victim Joseph Portelli suffered 15 stab wounds, while lawyer Kevin Mompalao suffered injuries in his arm.

When the jury resumed this morning, it was Gatt who addressed the jurors.

In his closing speech, Gatt said the case is based on charges that do not portray the truth. “We are faced with an attempted murder that does not exist. A voluntary attack that defies common sense. A grievous injury on Mompalao that is not considered grievous in the eyes of the law.

As a professional practitioner, you cannot adopt the case on a personal level. You feel for the accused. You’re saddened with freak verdicts but you never make the case personal”.

The defence questioned why the police did not search for the weapon. “You had the vehicle, you had his address and spoke to his relatives – where is the weapon?” he demanded from the prosecution.

Turning to the jurors, the lawyer continued, “You are being told that Cefai was stopped from continuing his attack but were never told what stopped him.

“What did the officer, detailed at court to keep public order, do? Under oath the bailiff said he had called him four times and the officer never answered the phone! Nobody intervened – Cefai stopped because he wanted to stop”, Dr Gatt said.

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

The defence concluded that after analysing all evidence and weighing what all the witnesses said, the jurors are to deliver a verdict that does justice to everyone.

“We did not play games. We did not twist facts. I ask you to deliver a verdict that makes Cefai answer for what he has done – but nothing more. Yes, he inflicted injuries on Portelli, but he neither had the intention nor attempted to kill him,” Gatt concluded.

The trial is now suspended for a short break, prior to the Judge’s address.