Terence William Zammit, 29, was tried by jury this week, accused of attempting to murder Mario Farrugia by shooting him in the mouth.

The verdict was given yesterday, with the jury unanimously finding him not guilty of attempted murder but convicting him of causing slight injury through imprudence and negligence. The jurors also found Zammit guilty of being in possession of

an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.

Presiding judge Mr Justice Joseph Galea Debono sentenced Zammit to one year in prison, suspended for four. He said Zammit had showed extreme carelessness in bringing out the gun, equipped with a silencer, in his friend’s

presence.

The victim testified in the proceedings against Zammit and explained that they were still friends, despite the unfortunate incident.

Senior Counsel to the Republic Mark Said led the prosecution while Dr Manwel Mallia and Dr Giannella Caruana Curran appeared for the accused.

Anthony Fenech, 52 from San Gwann was acquitted of trying to kill Charmel Pace on 26 June 2002 since the court found he had acted in self-defence.

On the day in question, Fenech had been drinking coffee in his balcony when he was confronted by the victim.Mr Pace accused Fenech of not keeping his promise to help him with a water tank some three weeks earlier.

Mr Pace was under the accused’s balcony, offending him and challenging him to a fight. Fenech finally gave in and told Mr Pace, “if you want to fight, come upstairs.” The victim did not hesitate and quickly went upstairs.

Mr Pace grabbed a pot of boiling water from the stove (he was boiling the water to cook some pasta). He threw the boiling water down the flight of stairs so as to stop Mr Pace. The victim advanced stamping his feet, still shouting.

The accused then put a ladder up against the door to stop Mr Pace from entering. Mr Pace started to bang on the door and when Fenech realised his aggressor may succeed in breaking the hinges, he phoned the police and his wife for help.When the banging on the door did not stop, Fenech, in a panic, opened his safe ,took out a revolver, and shot at the door. The shot hit Mr Pace and seriously injured him.

The court, presided over by Magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera, claimed there was no doubt that Fenech had acted in a moment of fear. The version he gave the court was corroborated by other witnesses and the victim himself admitted he was infuriated.

Magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera therefore acquitted the man of attempted murder because he had acted in self-defence. Fenech was fined Lm200 for firing an unlicensed weapon in an inhabited area.

Inspectors David Saliba and Robert Gregory prosecuted while Dr Joseph Giglio and Dr Jose Herrera appeared for the accused.