Trial of man accused of 2012 attempted murder begins

Madam Justice Edwina Grima emphasised the presumption of innocence as she addressed her first jury this morning, asking the seven men and two women to “completely forget” any preconcieved notions or information about the case which they might have received through the media.

The jury of former police constable Carmel Cutajar, accused of the attempted murder of his estranged wife, Maria, in Rabat in September 2012 began this morning.

Cutajar, 51, from Rabat, is pleading not guilty to attempted murder, grievously injuring her, carrying an unlicensed firearm and committing a crime he was duty bound to prevent. He had been arrested after going to the Point De Vue guesthouse, where the victim had been working, at around 1pm on 26 September 2012. The couple had argued in the car park in front of the building before he allegedly shot her in the torso.

He then took off in his car, before turning himself in at the nearest police station, from where he was escorted to hospital.

Four shots were believed to have been fired in all; three directed at the woman and the fourth was discharged when Cutajar turned the “very old” gun on himself. The ammunition used, which was also old, is thought to have been one of the reasons for his survival.

40 witnesses are expected to testify during the trial, but prosecuting lawyer Giannella Busuttil from the Office of the Attorney General reassured the jury that the trial was "not expected to be a long one."

Lawyers Giannella Busuttil and Anthony Vella are prosecuting on behalf of the office of the Attorney General. 
Lawyers Edward Gatt and Mark Vassallo are Cutajar's defence counsel.