Jury to start deliberating on Monday

Jurors in the trial of a man charged with planting a bomb outside the house of a police officer are expected to start deliberating for verdict on Monday.

During yesterday's court sitting, characterised by long addresses by both parties, Mr Justice Joseph Galea Debono started summing up the case to jurors in the trial of Emanuel Camilleri, known as Leli L-Bully.

Camilleri, 40, of Mqabba, is pleading not guilty to the attempted murder of Assistant Commissioner Michael Cassar and his family and endangering their lives when he caused an explosion on May 23, 1994.

He is also pleading not guilty to trafficking in heroin and cocaine between May 1994 and June 1998 and seriously injuring Marco Abdilla when he shot him in the leg on March 21, 1998.

The prosecution, through the bill of indictment, is claiming that in about May 1994, Cassar, who was then an inspector, was successful in curbing drug dealing in Zabbar.

Camilleri, who was involved in drug trafficking in the area, did not like the officer's success which interfered with his drug income. For this reason Camilleri decided to place a bomb outside his Zabbar residence.

So Camilleri manufactured a bomb, which he placed in a thick metal container, and on May 23, 1994, he placed it on the policeman's doorstep. The bomb exploded at about 1.30 a.m. when Cassar and his family were asleep.

The bill also claims that on the night between March 21 and 22, 1998, Camilleri shot Abdilla in the leg because Abdilla owed him Lm30,000 for drugs he had bought from him.

Meanwhile, after hearing how (the late) Abdilla told police that Camilleri told him he had planted the bomb, the defence is arguing that it was Abdilla who planted it.

The trial continues on Monday when jurors start deliberating once the judge concludes the summing up.

Assistant Attorney General Dr Anthony Barbara is prosecuting.

Dr John Attard Montalto and Dr Michael Sciriha are appearing for Camilleri.