One time, Roderick threatened to scald Bernice with boiling water, and another time he slapped her in the face when she asked why he had come back home late.

Once, she was on a video-call with Bernice and saw Roderick enter the bedroom and threaten to “pay her back” for not taking their children to see their grandparents, who had tested positive for COVID-19.

On May 8th 2022, Mother’s Day, a major argument erupted after Bernice told Roderick that she didn’t want to go on a trip to Gozo.

Roderick warned her that he was ready to “destroy everything”, shook a cupboard and punched her in the face. He then entered the kitchen, grabbed a knife and held it to Bernice’s neck, warning her that he was going to kill her.

Terrified, Bernice managed to run away from her husband and call out to her brother and sister-in-law, who were at home at the time, for help.

That same day, Bernice visited Sylvana, telling her that she couldn’t bear the situation anymore and wanted to leave Roderick. Bernice was initially reluctant to file a police report but her father convinced her to do so and took her to the Floriana depot himself.

Bernice moved out with the children and police charged Roderick with domestic violence, but her case was only classified as “medium risk”, following an assessment by social workers.

In July, Roderick was hospitalised and Bernice took her children to visit him, with the meeting taking place in the car park due to Bernice’s fears that her children could get sick.

However, when Bernice told Roderick that she wouldn’t be able to visit the next day due to work commitments, he kicked her car door in frustration, denting it. A protection order was issued in Bernice’s favour after this incident.

On 13th November, nine days before the murder, Bernice was about to drive her children to Floriana to get a vaccine, when Roderick approached the vehicle, stuck his head inside the door and demanded her phone from her.

Roderick accused Bernice of cheating on him and demanded that she hands over their son. He then drove his car into the path to block their exit, got out of the vehicle and banged on Bernice’s car.

According to Sylvana’s testimony, Roderick warned Bernice that he will “pay her back for taking the kids away” and told his son that “I’ll be in jail on Wednesday”.

After this incident, Bernice told Sylvana that she believed Roderick would kill her. Police were informed but no action was taken, and nine days later Bernice was shot dead in Paola.

Roderick Cassar, has been charged with her murder and is pleading not guilty.

Magistrate Joe Mifsud is presiding over the case, while AG lawyers Angele Vella and Darlene Grima, as well as inspectors Wayne Camilleri, Shaun Pawney and Paul Camlleri, are prosecuting.

Lawyers Franco Debono, Arthur Azzopardi, Marion Camilleri and Jacob Magri are defending Roderick Cassar, while Stefano Filletti, Marita Pace Dimech, Ann Marie Cutajar and Rodianne Sciberras are appearing parte civile for the victim’s family.

Should the police have done more to protect Bernice Cassar?