Man was 'beaten aggressively' - doctor

A 62-year-old man found dead on the Sliema Strand last month was beaten aggressively to the extent that five vertebrae were fractured, a doctor told a court yesterday.

Clinical forensic physician Mario Scerri explained that the fracture of vertebrae was normally caused by a hyperextension of the neck and was usually caused by the application of an arm lock.

Dr Scerri testified before Magistrate Noel Cuschieri in the compilation of evidence against Yugoslav Ileya Vukadinovic, 20, who is pleading not guilty to the wilful homicide of Joseph Drago in Sliema on June 26 at about 4 a.m. Magistrate Cuschieri yesterday ruled for indictment.

The doctor described Drago's injuries and said he was punched in the head and face. He explained he had concluded that the injuries were caused by a fist because a weapon would have left a trace and he found no traces on the lesions.

Dr Scerri said the blunt injuries were mainly concentrated on the face and head but there were others on his abdomen. The crown was partially fractured and Drago bled internally.

Dr Scerri said he examined Vukadinovic at police headquarters and found an injury on the back of his right hand.

Earlier Dr Tonio Abela and Dr Charmaine Zammit, appearing for Drago's family, requested that the case be heard behind closed doors and Magistrate Cuschieri ruled that testimonies which were potentially scandalous would not be heard in open court.

Superintendent Pierre Calleja testified behind closed doors.

Police Inspectors Silvio Valletta, Frans Micallef and Neville Xuereb are prosecuting.

Dr Lynn Zahra is appearing for Vukadinovic.