A witness during yesterday’s trial by jury took the witness stand to explain that about two years ago – after Dominic Bonnici pleaded guilty to the double murder – he met him in hospital and he confessed that Brian Vella – the accused – was not with him when he (Bonnici) killed the elderly couple.

However, during a confrontation with Bonnici, the latter said that the witness, Vincent Spiteri, was lying and that what he was saying was completely false.

The prosecutor, the defence lawyers and even the jurors remained open-mouthed when they heard this new information, while the accused was seen kissing the Crucifix across the courtroom.

Vincent Spiteri, known as Censu Negozju, continued to insist that he was under oath and he was saying the truth. He repeated the story several times that around two years ago he was at St Luke’s Hospital when he met Bonnici, who told him he had a lot of trouble and that he was going to tell him something that no one could know. “He told me that Brian was not with him that day and that he was with someone else who he could not mention because this person is dangerous and his (Bonnici’s) life and that of his family will be in danger,” Mr Spiteri said.

When asked by the presiding judge why he said nothing in two years, Mr Spiteri replied that he did not feel he needed to say anything because he does not trust anyone. In a confrontation with Bonnici, Mr Spiteri said: “I am testifying under oath so I will say the truth. I will not mention the other person because he might hurt me or my family. I feel better because I am saying what he told me. I am prepared to take a lie detector test if need be.”

Brian Vella is standing trial for the double murder of Gerald and Guza Grima on 10 February 2000.

During his testimony, Bonnici, who is presently serving time in jail after pleading guilty to robbing and killing the Grimas on 10 February 2000, said that on the day he woke up and went to the PN Club to drink. There he met Mr Vella and Robert Borg and they were drinking. He said that at around 1.30pm, the barman told them to leave. He said they went to another bar in Sliema until about 6pm. He said they went back to the PN Club and continued to drink until about 8pm.

At that time Mr Vella told him that he had a job and they could make Lm20,000 in a few minutes. He said Vella also asked Borg but he refused to participate.

“We went in my car and he told me to drive to his flat. He told me that an old man will soon take the dog out and when he goes back in they can surprise him. We went up on the roof to wait for the man to come but it started to rain. We were going down the stairs and the elderly couple arrived. He got hold of her and I held him. Brian tied her with tape and then gave me tape to tie the man. He was resisting me. He scratched me and tore the tights I had covering my face.

“He (the accused) came to help me tie him and we found a belt and tied them together too. He told me to stay with them until he searched the flat. I helped him look for cash and jewellery. In the bedside table we found income tax papers and old coins. In the wardrobe Brian found some jewellery. We checked the kitchen and in the meantime we smoked a couple of cigarettes. I left the tights in the flat and we fled. They were still alive when we left. Later when I spoke to Brian he told me that the elderly people were still alive,” he said.

Under cross-examination, he said he always drinks beer and whisky together and on the day he started drinking at 10am. “You can understand in what state I was but as soon as I got hold of the old man I came to my senses. I don’t have anything to hide and I am in jail over this case.”

Earlier during yesterday’s sitting, forensic expert Dr Mario Scerri testified that he was appointed to carry out forensic tests on items found at the apartment owned by the Grima couple. He said he established that the deceased couple did not smoke but several cigarette butts were found on site, close to the bodies. He said that these were lifted in order to be tested for a DNA profile.

Dr Scerri explained that every person has a unique DNA profile and a cigarette butt is probably the optimum item forensic experts can have in order to carry out this test which gives a very precise result. When someone smokes, the butt is usually wet with saliva which, even after a long time, can still give experts a DNA profile in order to compare with that of any suspect investigators may have.

Dr Scerri said he also examined two suspects – Brian Vella and Dominic Bonnici. He said Mr Vella had a number of scratches which were covered with a dry scab. A closer examination of the scratches indicated that they were around six to 10 days old. Dr Scerri said he examined Mr Vella on 18 February 2000. Asked whether he could have been scratched around the 10 February, the witness replied in the affirmative. He said a sample of Mrs Grima’s fingernails was taken in order to compare the two. He said this comparison was carried out by another court appointed expert.

With regard to the forensic examination on Bonnici, Dr Scerri said he had a scratch underneath his eye and even this was compared with the sample of Mrs Grima’s fingernail.

Dr Scerri said both bodies had signs that they had resisted their aggressors and the fact that Mr Grima still had his car keys in his hand indicated that they had been assaulted as soon as they entered their house. He said marks on the wall and a broken chair also confirmed that this scuffle had taken place.

Dr Brigette Ellul and Dr Ali Salfraz, who carried out the post-mortem examination on the Grimas, said the couple were in an advanced stage of decomposition. They said the couple died of asphyxia due to gagging. Mr Grima had four fractured ribs and intra-cranial damage which led to haemorrhage.

Serologists Robert Cardona and Chris Farrugia also testified during yesterday’s sitting. They were appointed by the duty magistrate to carry out forensic tests on the items lifted by the scene of crime officers.

They said the blood samples were of two blood groups – type A and type B. Some of the samples, including the cigarette butts, a milk carton and some clothes, were sent to the United Kingdom for DNA testing.

Professor Hector Galea said he carried out tests on a number of scratches he had on several parts of his body. However, none of the scratches were caused by fingernails.

Robert Borg explained that on the day he met Brian Vella and Dominic Bonnici and while they were drinking, Dominic asked him to go with him to make some easy money. He said they mentioned two elderly people but he told them not to get into trouble. He said soon after they left.

Later yesterday, the defence wanted a confrontation between Mr Borg and Bonnici to establish who was saying the truth but Mr Borg could not be found.

The trial continues today when the British expert who carried out the DNA tests on the cigarette butts is expected to testify.

Mr Justice Joseph Galea Debono is presiding over the case.

The head of the prosecution unit, Dr Anthony Barbara is prosecuting while Dr Anglu Farrugia and Dr Kris Busietta are appearing for the defence.