Gozitan Pasqualino Cefai, 32, of Żebbuġ, has been remanded in custody after he pleaded not guilty to the attempted murder of Joseph Portelli, 54, also of Żebbuġ, this afternoon.
Mr Portelli was assaulted in a courtroom in Gozo on Wednesday. He had between 18 and 20 stab wounds all over his body, sources said yesterday.
The incident happened at around noon when the two men were before Magistrate Josette Demicoli, who is presiding over a civil suit involving the pair.
Mr Cefai also pleaded not guilty to seriously injuring Mr Portelli, attempting to seriously injure a lawyer Kevin Mompalao, slightly injuring him, damaging court equipment, committing a crime while on bail and during the period of a suspended sentence, and relapsing.
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http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20120608/local/Stab-victim-hit-20-times.423298