The nine-strong jury panel appointed to pass judgment in an attempted murder trial is due to retire to deliberate its verdict today.

The jury will consider its verdict over Giousue Gauci who is pleading not guilty to the attempted murder of Ronald Azzopardi, from Rabat, on 8 February 2005 at the victim’s office in Sliema.

The defence claims that Mr Azzopardi pulled a gun on Mr Gauci and that their client wrested it from him. The victim, on the other hand, categorically denied this version of events and said that the accused first punched him, then fired three shots at him, one as he tried to escape down a stairwell.

The jury panel of nine has heard how according to the bill of indictment, the argument was one related to business and led the accused to shoot Azzopardi, who was 44-years-old at the time. Azzopardi sustained a bullet wound to the torso, but pulled through after undergoing surgery at St Luke’s Hospital. The second count on the bill was that Azzopardi committed a crime while in possession of a firearm.

The Judge will finish his summing up of the case before the jury is sent to deliberate its verdict.

The court is presided over by Mr Justice Joe Galea Debono while assistant attorney general Anthony Barbara leads the prosecution. Dr Matthew Brincat and Dr Arthur Azzopardi appeared for the accused while Dr Ian Farrugia and Dr Michael Sciriha appeared as parte civile for the victim.