Boy, 12, Testifies in White Rocks Attempted Murder Case Against Father

A 12-year-old boy testified behind closed doors in the case against his 49-year-old Italian father, accused of attempting to murder his two children at White Rocks.

White Rocks Attempted Murder Trial: Son Takes the Stand

The 12-year-old boy at the centre of the White Rocks attempted murder case gave testimony behind closed doors on Tuesday morning, Lovin Malta reports.

The case involves allegations that a 49-year-old Italian man attempted to kill his two children — a 12-year-old boy and his 10-year-old sister — at the abandoned White Rocks complex earlier this year. The incident drew widespread attention in Malta in March, as previously reported by Times of Malta.

According to earlier court testimony, the father allegedly mixed sleeping pills into the children's fast food before attacking them at the former White Rocks site. The 10-year-old girl managed to escape and alert a woman nearby, reportedly saying: "My father killed my brother." The boy was subsequently found barely conscious, leaning against a low wall and with serious head injuries.

During Tuesday's sitting, forensic expert Edward Cherubino confirmed that the accused had spoken to a psychiatrist on the day of his arrest. The girl had already testified in previous proceedings, also behind closed doors.

Earlier hearings heard that security camera footage allegedly showed the father tampering with the children's meals prior to the incident. Prosecutors have stated that the man admitted to police that he had placed sleeping pills in the food.

The accused, whose identity is protected by court order, is pleading not guilty to both counts of attempted murder. Magistrate Franco Agius is presiding over the case.

The prosecution is being led by lawyers Anthony Vella, Kaylie Bonett and Etienne Savona from the Office of the Attorney General, supported by police inspectors Kurt Zahra Colombo and Christian Xuereb. Lawyers Giannella De Marco and Charles Mercieca are representing the defence, while lawyers Maxilene Pace and Charmaine Cherett appear on behalf of the children's mother.

Source: Lovin Malta