Court hears arguments to reduce Bonicci’s jail term

Defence lawyers representing the man who tried to kill Opposition leader Daniel Feetham in 2010 were in court yesterday in a bid to have his minimum jail term reduced by two thirds, in a case that could have wider implications for justice in Gibraltar.

If they succeed, it means that Bonicci could be eligible for parole in two years’ time.

In 2012 David Bonicci was sentenced to two consecutive life terms for attempting to murder Mr Feetham, then Gibraltar’s Justice Minister, and for stabbing Dr Mahmood Khan in a separate knife attack in St Bernard’s hospital in 2009.

When Bonicci was jailed, Chief Justice Anthony Dudley recommended he serve a minimum of 17 years and 55 days before he could be considered for parole.

But that term was subsequently challenged by a defence team led by Charles Salter. At a hearing at the Supreme Court yesterday, Mr Salter argued that his client should be eligible for parole after serving eight years, one month and 10 days.

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