Giovanni Maria Aquilina is accused of murdering Giacobo Schembri at the request of Schembri's wife Innocenza. He was first arraigned before the Curia Gubernatorialis of Gozo, and then transferred to the Magna Curia Castellania to undergo interrogation under torture (described). They had followed Giacobo to the coastline of Marsalforn and precisely to the area of Ghar Cuacla, where he was collecting patelli, and there Giovanni Maria struck him with a stone and then threw the corpse into the sea. They were both found guilty: Aquilina was sentenced to hang and Schembri to exile from Malta and Gozo for life.
Curia Gubernatorialis
MT NAM LCM-186-03
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Item
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12/10/1663
Part of Law Courts Miscellaneous
MT NAM LCM-185-02
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Item
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30/07/1664
Part of Law Courts Miscellaneous
Document commences midway with examination of witnesses. Concerning the rape of Maria Tonna. Includes expert submission by midwives who examined her at the Magisterial Palace in Notabile. The accused is Giovanni Maria Azzoppardi. Several witnesses were examined and re-examined. The court found him guilty of stuprum sine vi (ie. not against her will). He is ordered to marry her and to provide her with a dowry of 20 uncia. The case was appealed. This is confirmed on appeal.
Curia Capitanalis