Mark Micallef
Ex-judge in bribery case leaves jail after 16 months
Former judge Patrick Vella leaves the Corradino Correctional Facilities, yesterday.
Disgraced former judge Patrick Vella left prison yesterday after serving 16 months for accepting a bribe in the now notorious drug trafficking case involving Mario Camilleri, known as L-Imnieħru.
In March 2007, Dr Vella had pleaded guilty to accepting a bribe of Lm10,000 for reducing Mr Camilleri's jail term in a drug trafficking case. He was given a two-year jail term, which, in prison terms, translates to 16 months, unless the inmate is reported for misconduct.
Attempts to get a comment from Dr Vella through his lawyer were unsuccessful. He let it be known that he would rather put the whole debacle behind him.
He was held in the division for vulnerable people, out of fear that other inmates, previously sentenced by him, could be a threat.
His conviction followed that of Joseph Zammit, known as Is-Sei, who a year earlier had admitted to bribing Dr Vella and former Chief Justice Noel Arrigo.
The case was revealed to the country by then Prime Minister Eddie Fenech Adami in a press conference that shook the country and made international headlines.
The former judges were originally arraigned together, along with Mr Camilleri, his son Pierre and businessman Anthony John Grech Sant, whose cases, along with that of the former Chief Justice, remain pending.
At one stage, Dr Vella pleaded guilty. One of his lawyers, Roberto Montalto, had read out a statement on his behalf saying that "he apologises, without any conditions, to Maltese society in general for his actions and declares he is sorry for the damage he caused to the same society".
Initially, he had filed an appeal claiming the punishment was "excessive and disproportionate" amid a public debate in which a substantial majority felt that the sentence had actually been lenient. He eventually dropped the appeal.
Initially, the two former judges had launched a long-winded legal battle against their arraignment. They had filed a case in the First Hall of the Civil Court arguing that Dr Fenech Adami's comments during the August 2002 press conference were in breach of their fundamental human right to a fair trial.
In December of that same year, the court dismissed the case, ruling that the Prime Minister's declarations could not be considered as statements of guilt and, therefore, their fundamental rights had not been breached.
The accused appealed to the Constitutional Court, which in 2003 ruled that their right to presumption of innocence had been breached in that press conference. Yet, the court concluded that, as the judges' fundamental human right to trial by an independent and impartial court had not been violated, there was no reason to halt the criminal proceedings against them.
The former judges took their case to the European Court of Human Rights but their case was rejected in May 2005.
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A. Cachia
Jul 17th 2008, 01:48
Can't believe some people think we should respect people like patrick vella. Why should he hold his head high and forget the past? What a shame!
Joe Tabone-Adami
Jul 12th 2008, 15:44
An honourable man who has expressed his sincere regret for a mistake which came about through human frailty and for which he has paid. He should be shown every respect for his courage, humility and humanity.
J Oatmon
Jul 12th 2008, 13:55
Sure Patrick Vella apologised after he was caught - but the kept quiet, and kept the money until he was caught, and if he had been lucky he would have got away with it..
He should now be barred from work in any government department, or in any private position where his judgement is required.
Corrupt judges are very serious offenders, how would you feel if your liberty was in this guys hands?.
Law. ATtard Bezzina
Jul 12th 2008, 13:54
That's Maltese JUSTICE !!!
D. Camilleri
Jul 12th 2008, 13:42
I am one to know Judge Arrigo for a very Long time & never did I think he would do such a thing, I am sure that these 2 Ex - Judges are seriously sorry for what they have done, To my understanding I think that the LM10.000 they where offered, they had no other option but to accept the deal,,,, I am 100% sure that if I was to take an offer between my family and Lm10.000 I would then choose to take the Lm10.000 to protect my family from any kind of threat, As we all now know that One day they will be back on our streets.
Ex Judge's like Arrigo & Patrick Vella have put God knows how many people to jail on different cases.
Are these two Judges in anyway Secured by the government??
maria victoria busuttil
Jul 12th 2008, 13:31
Dear Patrick, keep your head up,we are still your friends, any day and anytime, you and your family are more than welcome to call or visit us, you are more than welcome. Please Patrick, forget the past, and look at a bright future with your loving family and also all of us around you.
vincent a galea
Jul 12th 2008, 13:24
I would like to echo Dr Frank Portelli's noble sentiments... We are all human and subject to falter, slip, and succumb... Everybody should keep well in mind the saying, "There, but for the Grace of God, go I".......
Joeseph Abela
Jul 12th 2008, 11:41
I think that the law should be changed so that judges found guilty of bribery life imprisonment and not merely a maximum of four year.
Adrian Cardona
Jul 12th 2008, 11:36
Anyone knows what's happening with the other judge?
Dr Frank Portelli MD FRCS(Ed)
Jul 12th 2008, 10:07
Patrick Vella has paid the price that our society demanded for his guilt .
As you say he apologised unconditionally and declared he was sorry for the damage he caused.
The sin was terrible - and the price according to the law of the land
Now Patrick Vella needs to heal and to reintegrate into our society.
He needs all the space and assistance possible
Essentially a good man - who faltered and slipped ... and with the grace of God has redeemed himself
Like many other human beings
Dr Frank Portelli MD FRCS(Ed)