Witness charged with perjury

A man who had testified in an attempted murder case over a year ago was yesterday charged with perjury.

Darren Debono, 25, of Marsa, appeared before Magistrate Antonio Mizzi and pleaded not guilty to lying under oath on May 5, 2000 during the compilation of evidence against Christopher Kokavessis, who was charged with attempted murder.

Mr Debono was also charged with giving false evidence during Mr Kokavessis' trial by jury on October 21 and 22, 2003.

Jurors had unanimously cleared Mr Kokavessis of the attempted murder of Paul Zammit at White Stars Bar, Marsa, on Christmas Eve in 1999 because, their verdict read, although Mr Kokavessis had seriously injured Mr Zammit, he had acted in self defence.

On the last day of the trial, the presiding judge, Mr Justice Joseph Galea Debono, ruled he had reason to believe that Mr Debono had not said the whole truth when under oath and instructed the police to investigate him for perjury and to take the necessary legal action against him.

Police Inspector Norbert Ciappara prosecuted.

Dr Joseph Giglio appeared for Mr Debono.