Cassar had been tasked by the inquiring magistrate to evaluate whether the defendant was fit for interrogation.

The court-appointed expert mentioned that during the examination, Azzopardi revealed that in July 2012, he had admitted himself to Mount Carmel due to impulsive and erratic conduct.

Cassar discovered a note in Azzopardi’s medical file at Mount Carmel concerning a conversation among staff members regarding the accused’s ownership of shotguns.

The staff collectively deemed this a “public danger”. In fact, on 18th July 2012, psychiatrist David Mamo corresponded with the Rabat Police Station, expressing apprehension over Azzopardi’s possession of three shotguns.

He wrote that he felt duty-bound to alert the authorities, noting Azzopardi’s history of mental health concerns.

In the aftermath of the murder, a police search of his residence yielded nine shotguns: six were registered under his name, and three were registered under his father’s. The shotgun purportedly utilised in the homicide was concealed behind a grandfather clock.

Cassar noted that Azzopardi was discharged from Mount Carmel Hospital in late July 2012 but maintained regular outpatient visits to the hospital thereafter. He underwent annual follow-ups. The medical records indicate until 2016, he was still anticipating the receipt of his firearms licence.

During the court session, prosecuting investigator Godwin Agius revealed that Azzopardi informed officers of his acquaintance with the murder victim, Eric Borg, as they both owned adjacent fields in Buskett.

Azzopardi recounted an altercation between them on the day of the incident but did not specify Borg’s name.

Azzopardi provided a brief account of their exchange, mentioning Borg’s warning: “don’t stick your nose in other people’s affairs, you’ll regret it.” Subsequently, Azzopardi recounted pursuing Borg to Triq il-Fidloqqom in Rabat, where Borg resided, after which he confronted him.