A man charged with the murder of Gozo lawyer Michael Grech was yesterday granted bail on condition he does not leave his residence without court permission.

Magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera also bound David Zerafa by a Lm5,000 deposit and a personal guarantee of Lm10,000.

Despite being granted bail Mr Zerafa will still be detained in custody at the Corradino Correctional Facility because he is being detained in connection with a fight in June last year.

In the meantime, during the murder proceedings the defence asked prison wardens and inmates to testify about the relationship between the accused and two inmates, namely Stephen Spiteri and Rodney Vella.

During his evidence, prison warden Aronne Grech was asked by lawyer Emanuel Mallia, appearing in parte civile for the family of the victim, to explain what were the circumstances that led him to visit the residence Mr Zerafa’s mother in Nadur.

The witness explained he needed to buy a part for his car from Gozo and he asked the brother of the accused to explain to him where he could find the person indicated to him that could supply him with the part he wanted.

It resulted that the person in question was in Mgarr, Gozo but the accused’s brother asked him to join him for a drink. In the meantime, the accused’s brother received a telephone call and he accompanied him home, where he remained for 30 to 45 minutes. Later they went to have a beer in Xlendi, the warden said.

The prosecution was led by Police Inspectors Antonello Grech and Chris Pullicino.

Lawyer Joseph Giglio appeared for the accused.