The shot that hit Pietru Borg was not meant for him and had ricocheted after hitting a stone, the defence argued yesterday in the trial by jury against Nazzareno Briffa.

Mr Briffa, 50 of Birkirkara, is accused of attempting to kill Mr Borg, his second cousin, in July, 2009.

Dr Edward Gatt, defending with Dr Chris Cardona, said Mr Briffa had no intention of killing Mr Borg. He had gone near Mr Borg’s farm to frighten him, and fired shots at a billboard, with the third shot ricocheting off a stone.

The two had been drinking at Tony’s Bar in Birkirkara and had argued. Dr Gatt said Mr Briffa was agitated and like Mr Borg, was drunk after their drinking spree. Mr Briffa had been brooding after the argument, in which Mr Borg had offended him.

Mr Briffa was not in control of his reasoning, so much so that when he went for his shotgun at home, he had dropped several cartridges.

The prosecution, led by Dr Maurizio Cordina and Dr Marsilene Bonett, concluded its case in the morning and jurors were then taken to the bar where the victim and the accused had been drinking, and then to the victim’s farm on the Birkirkara bypass.

The case continues today.