Ferriggi murder trial opens - crime 'meticulously' planned, prosecution says

Joseph Zammit, 52 of Floriana this morning started undergoing a trial by jury for involvement in the murder of Bank of Valletta messenger Aphonse Ferriggi in September 2000.

Ferriggi was shot dead outside the Bank of Valletta branch in San Gwann while depositing some correspondence.

Zammit is also accused of theft ,illegal possession of a weapon, and holding a person against his will.

In his opening statement to the jurors, the prosecuting officer, Aaron Bugeja, from the Attorney General's Office said that four people were allegedly involved in this crime including the accused.

He said the victim was a family man who was brutally murdered with a single shot to the head from a shotgun. This hold-up was carried out by all four people who stole three mail bags thinking they contained cash. On the night before, they stole a car from Sliema after its driver left the keys in the ignition while he went to buy cigarettes.

Although the accused may not have pulled the trigger to kill Mr Ferrigi, he still took part in the hold-up. The prosecution believed he had a major part in the operation.

Closed circuit television showed the victim standing up, and within seconds he was dead on the floor.

"There is enough evidence here to prove that he is guilty. The Attorney General has given you a huge choice of evidence," Dr Bugeja said.

This crime had been planned in meticulous detail. They were after money and nothing else. No finger-prints were left on the scene of the crime, Dr Bugeja said.

Christian Mangion, who lived nearby and was the first person on the scene, said that at 5.15 a.m. he was woken up by a loud noise. He saw the victim on the ground, still alive, but despite his best efforts, he did not respond.

The trial continues. It is presided by Mr Justice Joseph Galea Debono.