Godfrey, Marlene Farrugia ready to forgive man who posted threatening message

Partit Demokratiku MP Godfrey Farrugia yesterday told a court that he and his partner, Marlene Farrugia were ready to forgive a man who posted a threatening comment on Facebook, but took the case to court to send a message that this kind of behaviour was not ok.

Appearing parte civile for the Farrugia’s, lawyer Joe Giglio said that normally the couple would brush off such threats. However the climate is now different and a message must be sent. He continued to tell presiding magistrate Claire Stafrace Zammit that the couple is not out to make the accused’s life difficult, but want to make him aware of the seriousness of his actions.

The accused, Mario Baldacchino, wrote that Marlene Farrugia was digging her own grave on 5 May, after the snap electoral campaign kicked off.

Appearing for Baldacchino, lawyer John Bonello said that use of the word “grave” was meant to be a metaphor, and that his client’s comment must be taken within the context of hundreds of comments that are posted online each day. He went on to say that he has known his client for years and that he is a respectable citizen.

Godfrey Farrugia took the witness stand yesterday morning and said that he should not let such things slide, especially when he found out that his wife would often receive death threats online and through her mobile, so much so that an assistant handles her mobile.

Farrugia testified that he feels afraid whenever a car pulls up next to their front door at night, and within such a climate people must be aware that their words carry weight. He repeatedly said that should such comments be made during an electoral campaign, some crazy person might be spurred to do something crazy.

Stafrace Zammit asked Baldacchino whether he would be able to live with the remorse had somebody acted on his words, while Bonello chimed in to say that everybody expresses themselves in their own way. Marlene Farrugia was not present during today’s proceedings.

Baldacchino apologised in open court however the case is set to continue in January.