Marsaxlokk murder: victim’s gun had misfired, ballistic expert says

Moments before being fatally stabbed, Anthony Borg fired two shots from his handgun, but had to manually reload the weapon to use it the third time, a ballistic expert told a jury head this morning.

Brigadier Calleja, was testifying in the trial by jury of Allan Galea, a 36-year-old monti hawker from Marsaxlokk, accused of murdering Anthony Borg, il-Bona, in February 2010 in Marsaxlokk square following an argument.

The veteran expert was testifying together with Sgt Pierre Attard from the police forensics department and Jesmond Cassar.

From a report compiled by the ballistic expert, it transpired that at least two shots had been fired from the deceased’s chrome-plated Lorcin L25 semi-automatic handgun, which was exhibited in court today.

Two empty cartridge cases and one live round were recovered from the scene, said the brigadier, adding that the weapon was recovered with its empty six-round magazine.

The expert confirmed that the live bullet bore misfiring marks on its casing.

The prosecution asked whether it would be feasible to hit a person with the weapon, at a range of 12 to 15 metres. Brigadier Calleja said it was feasible, but that it largely depended on the person...