The jury in the murder trial of former Armed Forces of Malta soldier Lorin Scicluna has begun deliberating after the presiding judge completed her final directions on Sunday morning.

Madam Justice Natasha Galea Sciberras sent the jurors to deliberate at 11:45am, bringing the courtroom proceedings to a crucial stage in the trial concerning the killing of 42-year-old Lassana Cisse Souleymane.

Scicluna, 29, is accused of murdering Cisse, an Ivorian national who was shot dead in Ħal Far, on the outskirts of Birżebbuġa, on 6 April 2019.

He also faces charges of attempting to murder three other men: Mohammed Jallow from The Gambia, Ibrahim Bah from Guinea, and May Malimi from Chad.

Scicluna has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The case has been described as Malta's first alleged racially motivated murder. Francesco Fenech, 28, is also expected to stand trial separately in connection with the case.

Judge reminds jurors of presumption of innocence

Sunday's sitting resumed in Courtroom 22, where Scicluna was present as Madam Justice Galea Sciberras continued the directions she had begun delivering to the jury.

Shortly after 9am, the judge addressed a legal point concerning the sixth count in the indictment before reviewing the evidence heard throughout the trial.

The summary of witness testimony continued until approximately 10:57am, when the judge granted the jurors a short break.

Proceedings resumed at 11:19am for the concluding part of her address.

The judge reminded the jurors that they must reach decisions on nine separate counts and that each juror is required to cast an individual vote, which is to be communicated to the jury foreperson.

She stressed that responsibility for determining Scicluna's guilt or innocence rests entirely with them.

Acknowledging the weight of that responsibility, Madam Justice Galea Sciberras urged the jurors to examine the charges carefully and remain faithful to the oath they had taken.

She also reminded them that Scicluna continues to benefit from the presumption of innocence throughout their deliberations.

While the jurors must consider the interests of the Republic of Malta, she explained, their conclusions must be guided by the evidence and the applicable legal standard.

A finding of guilt must be established beyond reasonable doubt

Verdict now rests with the jury

At 11:45am, the judge concluded her directions and instructed the jurors to retire and begin their deliberations.

They must now assess the evidence presented during the trial and decide each of the nine charges individually.

No verdict has yet been delivered.