One of three men allegedly involved in last month's failed arson attack in Marsa, during which one of them was shot dead, was arraigned in court this afternoon

Aaron Cassar, 37, from Kirkop was this morning charged before Magistrate Joe Mifsud and pleaded not guilty. The man, who is unemployed and well-known to the police, was denied bail. 

Apart from attempted arson, he was also accused of the theft of a Toyota Starlet from Valletta on November 14, as well as a set of registration plates from a different vehicle in Luqa, five days later. He was charged with handling stolen goods and relapsing. 

The case dates back to the early hours of February 12, when 25-year-old Sylvester Farrugia was found dead beside the stolen Toyota Starlet in Triq Simpson, Marsa. The victim had been shot in the back at about 5am.

On the following day, Deniro Magri, 37 from Marsa was charged with his murder and pleaded not guilty.

Mr Magri had justified his action, saying he acted in self-defence after noticing two men approaching the front door of his residence where he resides together with his partner and son, in the dead of the night.

One of the suspects was cradling an object which he believed might have been a bomb, the court heard.

Police inspector Keith Arnaud had confirmed in court the that the strong smell of fuel outside Mr Magri's front door, indicated that this was an arson attempt. 

During today's sitting, Inspector Arnaud said that Mr Cassar had been questioned for the first time two days after the murder and had been released on police bail. The accused had been identified from CCTV footage. 

The court heard that Mr Cassar was arrested for the second time yesterday on the strength of fresh forensic evidence, of which no details were given in court.

He noted that throughout the interrogation the accused refused to answer any questions, while denying any involvement in the case.

During bail submissions, the prosecution objected, saying the defendant had a 13-page criminal record and was charged with a very serious crime. Legal aid lawyer Martin Fenech said that the evidence on the strength of which his client had been charged was rather vague at this stage.

He noted that the defendant had adhered to the conditions of the police bail. However, the court turned down the bail request.

Lawyers Amadeus Cachia and Giannella de Marco appeared parte civile for Mr Magri, while Jason Azzopardi appeared parte civile for Mr Farrugia's family.