Brian Vella, whose double murder trial has been dissolved on two occasions, was yesterday granted bail for the first time since his arraignment six years ago.

Chief Justice Vincent DeGaetano granted him bail against a Lm25,000 deposit or on condition that the money is pledged for by a guarantor, after his lawyers filed an application for bail.

Mr Vella had been arraigned over the murder of Gerald and Josephine Grima at their home in Sta Lucija on February 17, 2000.

His case went to the Criminal Court in February 2004 for him to undergo trial by jury but the trial was dissolved when the court ruled that the testimony of a co-accused, who had admitted his involvement, was not admissible.

A second trial, appointed for last January, was also dissolved when Police Commissioner John Rizzo was deemed to have given evidence considered prejudicial to the accused.

Another trial is to be appointed once ongoing constitutional proceedings come to an end. Mr Vella is arguing that a third trial will be in breach of his right to a fair hearing.

Meanwhile, Mr Vella's lawyers filed a request for bail arguing that, according to Article 575 of the Criminal Code, an accused who faces a jail term that exceeds 15 years (as in this case) is to be granted bail 30 months after the bill of indictment against him is filed.

The judge upheld the request after noting that 42 months had elapsed since the Attorney General filed the bill against Mr Vella.

Lawyers Anglu Farrugia and Kris Busietta were counsel to Mr Vella.