Police claim witness is hostile

The police prosecution in the case over the murder of Baron Francis Sant Cassia yesterday asked the court to again hear the testimony of Angelo Muscat and assess his credibility, after they declared Mr Muscat to be a hostile witness.

The police believe that Carmel Camilleri, who stands charged with the murder of Baron Sant Cassia on October 27, 1988, was not alone during the execution of the crime.

Superintendent Peter Paul Zammit and inspector Christopher Pullicino said Mr Muscat had been interrogated several times in connection with the case. They yesterday exhibited three conflicting statements by Mr Muscat and argued that these conflicted also with what he had said on the witness stand when he testified.

The prosecution yesterday objected to a request for bail for Mr Camilleri, saying evidence could still be tampered with.

But defence lawyers Jason Azzopardi and Chris Busietta said it was not right for a person to be detained for so long.

The possibility of tampering with evidence alone was not reason enough to detain a person under arrest.

Dr Azzopardi said the family of the accused was suffering hardship as he was employed in the civil service and if he was granted bail he would have the right to half pay while he was not entitled to any pay during detention.

Magistrate Lawrence Quintano is to decide on bail soon.