Man on trial for 2022 Marsalforn murder
Maher Aljasem is accused of murdering Fawaz Njem
A 28-year-old man went on trial on Monday morning for the 2022 murder of Fawaz Njem.
Maher Aljasem, a Syrian national who was living in Żebbuġ in Gozo, stands indicted over the voluntary murder of fellow Syrian Njem.
Njem, then 25, was killed on May 7, 2022.
On the day, Aljasem allegedly hit Njem at the Marsalforn seafront with a plastering tool. Later - sometime between 8pm and 10pm - Aljasem stabbed Njem in a garage under construction.
Njem was stabbed in his vital organs with the knife touching the victim’s heart. Njem was pronounced dead on arrival at the Gozo hospital.
A second man, Kazem Adalaa, sustained slash wounds certified as slight injuries.
Aljasem is accused of murdering Njem, injuring Abdalaa, and being in possession of a knife or a sharp and pointed instrument without a licence and breaching the public peace.
He denies the charges.
The jurors were empanelled on Monday morning. The jury consists of seven women, of whom one is serving as a forewoman, and two men.
Mr Justice Neville Camilleri, who is presiding over the Criminal Court, addressed the jurors on Monday morning, explaining their role as judges of facts presiding over the trial.
AG lawyer Angele Vella and Cynthia Tomasuolo prosecuted.
Lawyers Peter Fenech, Amy Zahra and Elena Fenech are assisting the accused.
Lawyers Franco Debono and Matthew Xuereb are appearing parte civile.