Watch: 'No sentence justifies it', family of murder victim Bernice

The sister of Bernice Cassar (Cilia), who was shot dead by her estranged husband three years ago, said no sentence will bring justice to the mother of two who was murdered while trying to fight for a better life for her children. 

Roderick Cassar pleaded guilty to the murder on Wednesday and was sentenced to 40 years in jail. 

Speaking to journalists outside the courtroom, Alessia Cilia Portelli, Bernice’s sister, said it was difficult for the family to accept any sentence, as no sentence would bring enough justice or compensate for the lost life after years of domestic violence.

“My sister lived through it all, she fought, she experienced difficult periods. When she realised this was not the life she wanted for her and her family, she took the courageous step to change that,” an emotional Cilia Portelli said, accompanied by her father and mother.

“Yet despite taking that decision, she did not manage to achieve what she wanted for her family, because one person decided that if she was not his, she belonged to nobody. Worse than that, she does not deserve to live.”

Cilia Portelli said the family were also upset because in reality, the sentence would not be 40 years. If an inmate shows good conduct, the sentence can be shortened. 

'Today speak about Bernice'

Cilia Portelli urged the public to focus attention on Bernice.

"Do not speak about the sentence, do not speak about Roderick, today speak about Bernice," she said. 

"Because no sentence will bring justice or bring Bernice back. No sentence will bring back the mother of two young children, who, at the ages of 5 and 8, had to learn about the most cruel act and lost their innocence overnight."

Members of the family walk into court to hear the guilty plea and sentencing. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

She asked the people to remember all those women who shared the same fate as Bernice and stood in solidarity to other women who are waiting for justice.

Parte civile lawyer Marita Pace Dimech said the family had to "bow their heads" before the court and accept the punishment.