Zejtun murder trial: Witness changes his version, denies being asked to kill woman

Updated 12.45 p.m. A man who had told a magisterial inquiry that he had been asked to kill a woman in 2005 today changed his version before a court, and said his original evidence was given following pressure by the police. Matthew Pace was testifying in the trial of Ronnie Azzopardi, who is pleading not guilty to murdering Angela Bondin in a bomb explosion in Zejtun on June 18, 2005. According to the prosecution, the bomb had been intended for Azzopardi’s sister-in-law, but the  bag containing the explosive was unwittingly moved by a passer-by, Tessie Grima.  Bondin died and Grima was injured when the bomb went off as they chatted in the street. Taking the witness stand, Matthew Pace, said he knew the accused as a neighbour in Cospicua. He said the police had questioned him over whether the accused asked him to place the Zejtun bomb. A police inspector had told him to say that the accused had asked him to plant the bomb, warning him that he would not be released  until he did so. He then began agreeing to whatever the police said.    Asked whether he had spoken to social worker Malcolm Micallef (whom he allegedly told that he was asked to murder the woman) he said 'yes' but could...