Murder accused told police his parents 'ruined his life since age 14'
John Cassar, charged with killing his mother and wounding his father in Mqabba, said his parents ruined his life during police interrogation, a court heard.
Defence challenges fitness of Mqabba murder suspect for police interrogation
John Cassar, the 47-year-old charged with murdering his 72-year-old mother and seriously wounding his 74-year-old father at their Mqabba home, told police during interrogation that his parents had "ruined his life", Times of Malta reports.
The statement emerged on Monday during the compilation of evidence against Cassar before Magistrate Ingrid Bianco, where homicide squad Inspector Kurt Colombo Zahra took the stand.
Zahra told the court that Cassar was interrogated two days after he allegedly committed the offences on 15 October, once he had been discharged from hospital. During that session, Cassar frequently closed his eyes, said he was tired, and at one point stated he had many things to say but did not wish to speak at that stage. He then said his parents had "ruined his life".
Zahra later clarified under cross-examination that Cassar had made the remark in fuller terms — saying his mother and father had ruined his life since he was 14 years old.
Before the interrogation began, Cassar signed a declaration refusing legal assistance. A psychiatrist had also assessed him and certified he was fit to be questioned.
In a previous sitting, the court heard that Cassar's mother, Mary Grace Cassar, was found lying face up in her kitchen with a shirt knotted around her neck, at id-Dar tan-Nannu on Valletta Road, Mqabba. When Cassar was informed during a phone call that his father Ganni was still alive, he reportedly said it was a pity.
Zahra recounted that when he arrived at the scene, he found Saviour Cassar — a friend of the accused — who was on a video call with him. During that call, Zahra said Cassar appeared nervous. On a second call, his attitude had changed: he seemed agitated and was seen smoking drugs from foil. That call lasted just under an hour. Cassar asked where his friend Saviour was and told the inspector he needed a moment to come down from the effects of cocaine.
Zahra also told the court he had heard a voice recording of Cassar saying he had killed both his parents. Cassar himself said he could not remember the alleged attack, but did recall events that took place before and after it. When asked about Facebook posts he had uploaded, Cassar said he had posted both before and after the incident.
The interrogation also covered a disputed €7,000 payment that Cassar claimed he was owed by a woman.
Cassar was brought to hospital before interrogation because emergency doctors were concerned he might suffer a heart attack. Defence lawyer Matthew Xuereb pressed Zahra on whether the accused had been sedated or was in a state of shock at the time of questioning. Zahra said he relied on a report from a doctor and a psychiatrist confirming Cassar was fit for interrogation, and that a medical doctor would be better placed to address those questions.
Xuereb highlighted a note in the psychiatrist's report describing Cassar as being in a stable mental state, and questioned whether that amounted to a fitness-for-interrogation certificate. Zahra explained that the line in question means the certificate cannot be used in the event of an insanity plea. He added that, combined with a separate certificate by doctor Anthony Falzon confirming Cassar was fit to remain in police custody, he concluded that Cassar was fit to be questioned.
During cross-examination, Xuereb also sought to establish a timeline involving a domestic violence report filed by Cassar's ex-wife, Rosalie. Cassar additionally faces charges of causing his ex-wife to fear violence and of threatening her and others through electronic communications. Attorney General lawyer Kaylie Bonett argued the proceedings concern the homicide, not the domestic violence report, whilst Zahra noted that other witnesses would provide further detail on that matter.
When asked whether the video call between Cassar and Saviour Cassar had been recorded or captured on bodycams, Zahra said it had not been recorded and that he had no information on bodycam footage.
Items linked to drug abuse were found at Cassar's home, Zahra confirmed. In the end, Cassar voluntarily came out of his residence, was spoken to by Zahra, and was arrested. Before being taken in, he asked not for a lawyer but for a cigarette, which Zahra provided.
Cassar denies murdering Mary Grace Cassar and attempting to murder his father Ganni. The case continues on 11 December. Prosecuting alongside Inspector Zahra are Attorney General lawyer Kaylie Bonett and Inspector Colin Sheldon from the Domestic Violence Unit. The defence is represented by Matthew Xuereb.
Source: Times of Malta