Magistrate comments on gun-related crimes

A man charged with attempted murder was still a very good friend of his alleged victim, a lawyer said in court yesterday.

Horace Fenech, 32, appeared before Magistrate Antonio Mizzi charged with the attempted murder of Nicholas Catania, 26, on Monday at about 7 p.m.

The incident was apparently sparked off by a heated argument between the two in an area known as Il-Fawwara over the trapping of birds in Mr Fenech's fields. The quarrel escalated, punches flew and, finally, three shots were fired with Mr Catania being showered with hot lead on his shoulder.

On asking for bail, defence lawyer Ludvic Caruana urged the court to take into consideration the fact that his client understood that if he were to breach any of the bail conditions he would go to prison. The magistrate pointed out to the defence counsel that the incident should have never happened, adding that "I don't go for my best friend brandishing a shotgun".

His client would not try to leave the island because he has strong ties here, Dr Caruana added.

Magistrate Mizzi said he failed to understand what was going on in the country given the crimes taking place involving the use of firearms.

Bail was denied.

Police Inspector Tony Cachia had pointed out earlier that, at this point in time, there was fear that another argument might erupt between the two.

Dr Caruana rebutted this saying that the two men had remained best friends even after the incident.

The court informed Dr Caruana that he could ask for bail at a later stage.