Updated 4.11pm
Deniro Magri, 27, from Marsa has pleaded not guilty to the fatal shooting of 25-year-old Sylvester Farrugia in a stolen car in Marsa early yesterday morning.
Farrugia was shot in the back in Simpson Street and managed to get out of the vehicle before collapsing. He died on the spot and was found at about 5am.
Inspector Keith Arnaud, prosecuting, told the court there was an arson attempt on Magri's home three blocks from where the body was found.
Indications were that three people were involved in the attempted arson. Magri realised what was happening and opened fire.
The victim was believed to be one of the three men involved.
Asked if the other two people had been found, Inspector Arnaud said he did not want to give further details.
In a reaction to a request for bail, Inspector Arnaud said investigations were still under way and the reasons behind the attack are still being investigated. Therefore, it would be premature to grant bail.
The accused was defending his son and his partner. He was just minding his own business.- Defence
Defence lawyer Giannella de Marco said the persons being investigated were those who tried to carry out the arson. The accused was defending his son and his partner and was just minding his own business.
The accused said he has no idea who the person who died was, the court was told.
Magistrate Joe Mifsud denied bail but ordered round-the-clock protection for Magri's partner and seven-year-old son.
Items related to the murder were reportedly found in Marsa's December 13 Road yesterday and Mr Magri was arrested in the evening.
Mr Farrugia was the second person to be killed this year, after Ħamrun man Victor Calleja died in a car explosion last month.
Dr Jason Azzopardi represented the family of the victim.
Drs Giannella de Marco, Jean-Luca Caruana Curran and Marion Camilleri were defence counsel.
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Sylvester Farrugia.