John Cassar, accused of murdering his mother and attempting to murder his father in Mqabba, allegedly sent voice messages following the attack in which he claimed to have killed both his parents.
During his arraignment before Magistrate Nadia Helena Vella on Saturday afternoon, the court heard that Cassar sent a message to a woman stating, “I killed them both.”
He also allegedly warned his ex-wife not to take their children to their grandparents’ home because there was a “macabre scene”.
Cassar pleaded not guilty to murdering his 72-year-old mother, Mary Grace Cassar, and attempting to murder his 74-year-old father, Ganni Cassar, during Thursday afternoon’s attack in Valletta Road, Mqabba.
Police investigator Colin Sheldon testified that CCTV footage showed the accused entering his parents’ residence, known as Id-Dar tan-Nannu, around the estimated time of his mother’s death.
The victim was found dead inside the property, while her husband was discovered outside suffering from a serious chest wound, allegedly inflicted with a screwdriver. He was initially in critical condition but has since stabilised.
The court heard that the injured father identified his son as the attacker.
Following the incident, Cassar fled to his residence in Ħal-Farruġ, where police negotiators contacted him through video calls.
During these conversations, Cassar allegedly told Inspector Sheldon that he had killed both parents. The inspector said he believed the accused was unaware that his father had survived.
Sheldon also testified that Cassar appeared to be consuming drugs during the video call and admitted taking cocaine over several days.
Following his surrender, Cassar was taken to Mater Dei Hospital for treatment after reportedly consuming a combination of crack cocaine, cocaine and heroin.
His interrogation could only take place on Saturday because he had previously been deemed unfit for questioning. The court heard that Cassar refused legal assistance during the interrogation and declined to answer certain questions.
However, he was represented by a legal aid lawyer during Saturday’s arraignment.
Police believe the attack may have been partly connected to a dispute involving €7,000 which Cassar claimed he was owed.
The accused had published several Facebook posts before and after the attack, referring to family members and other individuals. In one message, he described himself as armed.
Cassar was also charged with threatening his ex-wife and others through electronic communications, causing his former wife to fear violence, and possessing drugs.
At the request of the Attorney General’s Office, the court issued a protection order in favour of Cassar’s father, his former wife and two other individuals.
During the arraignment, Cassar initially replied that both his parents were alive when asked about their status, before declining to answer the question.
Cassar is the brother of Roderick Cassar, who is serving a 40-year prison sentence after admitting to the murder of his wife, Bernice Cilia.
The prosecution is being led by Inspector Kurt Zahra and Kayleigh Bonett from the Attorney General’s Office. Cassar is being represented by a legal aid lawyer.
Cassar pleaded not guilty to all charges and was remanded in custody.
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