Vince Farrugia assault case: Lawyer reveals more SMSs, witness admits lying under oath

The defence lawyer for Sandro Chetcuti, who stands accused of seriously injuring GRTU Director General Vince Farrugia this morning revealed a number of text messages made the day before the incident which, he said, showed his client had been provoked. Mr Chetcuti stands accused of having assaulted and seriously injured Mr Farrugia on March 11, 2010. Defence lawyer Emanuel Mallia cross examined a number of witnesses including GRTU officials Philip Fenech and Joe Attard, and employee Sylvia Gauci. During the questioning, Dr Mallia noted that an SMS was sent the day before the alleged case - where Mr Farrugia told Mr Fenech: "We must blacken his name with all ministers and parliamentary secretaries, MPs and authorities so that nobody trusts him and nobody touches him. He is a leper. We must hit him from all angles. No mercy." Mr Fenech replied: "Just tell him to go or else!! Paul will....we have all endorsement...by all that matter in the council." Mr Farrugia replied: "But first we must besmirch him. We must not make a hero for Labour out of him. We must first expose him as cheap, a traitor, untrustworthy, a bum, money-stinks guy. Then we dump him as a cant wrapper." Mr Fenech...