A trial by jury has started today with David Zerafa, aged 39, from Nadur accused of killing Gozitan lawyer Michael Grech in May 2004, who had been shot in the neck and hit on the head..

Dr Grech had been the lawyer for Zerafa’s ex-wife in separation proceedings which got underway in 2000 and concluded in September 2003.

The motive for the murder is not shown on the charge sheet that has been presented by the Police, however, it is understood that investigators had followed various trails and at one point even interrogated David Zerafa’s ex-wife, who is expected to testify in the jury.

Zerafa is charged with murder and with kidnapping the lawyer and being in possessing of a firearm.He is also accused of shooting a firearm in a residential building.

According to the Attorney General there was a second person believed to have been on the scene and who allegedly helped Zerafa commit the crime.

Zerafa was working as a beach attendant in Ramla l-Hamra, at the time of the murder and has been separated from his wife for the past 13 years.

He is leading not guilty to the accusations with his defence Dr Malcolm Mifsud. The prosecution is being led by Dr Philip Galea Farrugia.

In March 2006, David Zerafa brought the court proceedings to a standstill after he fainted in court room.

He fainted when a witness, who was in the apartment above the victim on the day of the incident, was testifying, describing what she had heard take place.

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