Updated: Probation period extended just a week before San Gwann murder
A probation officer had recommended the imprisonment of David Schembri, 32, of Sliema, just a week before Mr Schembri fatally stabbed his former girlfriend, a court was told today.
The probation officer’s recommendation had not been accepted and probation was extended.
A jury this afternoon found Mr Schembri guilty of stabbing Josette Scicluna, 32, in her San Gwann apartment in 2004. He was also convicted of the unlawful possession of the firearm.
During the trial, presided by Mr Justice Joseph Galea Debono, jurors heard how Mr Schembri forced his way into Ms Scicluna’s apartment by shooting five times at the door lock. He then stabbed Ms Scicluna almost 50 times. The crime was witnessed by their daughter, then seven years old.
The jury returned an 8-1 guilty verdict.
Mr Justice Galea Debono, before delivering sentence, said Mr Schembri had 12 previous convictions over cases including violence and drugs and his probation officer had, just a week before this crime, recommended imprisonment over other crimes. His probation period, however, had been extended.
Mr Schembri had also been taking cocaine.
Mr Justice Galea Debono sentenced Mr Schembri to life imprisonment.
After sentencing Mr Schembri was heard telling relatives of the victim 'I am still alive'.
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33 Comments
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victor sammut
Jan 24th 2009, 13:17
nobody says from where this murder it start,because easy to buy DRUGS
Robert Callus
Jan 24th 2009, 05:28
Since there had been violence on the girl repeatedly for a long time, yet he had bail extended, I hope this serves a lesson that violence against women should be taken seriously by the courts and the police. If the person is still of danger to the woman, first priority is to protect her.
Mr Justice Galea Debono gave the right sentence and said the right words
alex darmanin
Jan 23rd 2009, 13:47
This murder should have been avoided.
If someone listened to the probation officer's advise, Josette Scicluna is probably still enjoying life with her daughter.
A big thank you to Mr. Justice Galea Debono for sentencing this bully to life!!
Mike Magri
Jan 23rd 2009, 13:00
WELL DONE Justice Galea Debono, and ABOVE ALL, May the Good Lord have mercy on the late, Victim Josette Scicluna and give His good strenght to her family...
Joe Cordina
Jan 23rd 2009, 10:02
Yes life is life in prison, that is if no special pardon is handed out along the way
Criss Camilleri
Jan 23rd 2009, 09:42
'I AM ALIVE' THE GUILTY MAN IS SAID TO HAVE SHOUTED TO THE LATE Ms. SCICLUNA RELATIVES.
HOW NICE INDEED. IT IS REALLY SOMETHING TO BE PROUD OF. HOWEVER, ALIVE HE MAY BE FROM THE OUTSIDE, BUT I BET HE IS QUITE DEAD FROM THE INSIDE, AS HE WILL NOT HAVE A GOOD NIGHT SLEEP UNTIL HE DIES IN PRISON. AND ALIVE THANKS TO THE REMOVAL OF THE DEATH PENALTY.
Joe Cutajar
Jan 23rd 2009, 08:45
This guy is lucky i was not the president, the prime minister or her father cause he would have been years buried. I can just imagine the grief of her parents.
CAPITAL PUNISHMENT (by being stabbed 47 times by her relatives) is the most appropriate sentence for this guy. Would have changed the constitution just for cases like this. This case reminds me of the case of Baby P that happened last year in the UK. Heads should be rolling in this case too. Well done to the probation officer. Such a murder could have been avoided
COWARD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It is easy to destroy a life of an unarmed victim not to mention the irreparable trauma the innocent kid has undergone.
K Spiteri
Jan 23rd 2009, 08:34
@ Franco Farrugia: I think you are wrong. I also heard once on TV that in certain cases like these, life improsonment is till he dies.
Well the accused told them that he is still alive, but i think that he might get his casket soon to keep with himself in his cell.
H dempster
Jan 23rd 2009, 08:29
Life time inprison as far as i know does not actualy mean so. It means a certain amount of years (min 25 years) Leass good behaviour and other amnesties. ( every body knows of a certian case wayback in the 60's when a person was senteced to death and was later repreived with a life sentence and today is out of prison.)
C.Sapiano
Jan 23rd 2009, 08:25
WELL done Justice Galea Debono. A very just Judge !
Pawlu Agius
Jan 23rd 2009, 08:06
I consider Corradino correctional facility like a hotel, playing football or doing nothing, seeing TV, enjoying wide choice of food with desert ... , its ends up being more like a recreational facility!!!
Eddie Attard
Jan 23rd 2009, 06:54
Legally life imprisonment is life, however, after sentencing any person to imprisonment for life, the court may recommend in writing to the Prime Minister within twenty-four hours the minimum period which it its view should elapse before the prisoner is released from prison. Such recommendations shall be made available to the person sentenced, and a copy thereof shall be kept by the registrar. Since 1800, the longest period in prison was 27 years. Two of the inmates at Corradino serving life sentence have been imprisoned for 21 years.
Daphne Caruana Galizia
Jan 23rd 2009, 00:31
No, life does not mean literally until death. It is generally around 25 years. Certainly, no one has served a longer sentence than that here, at least within living memory. And please remember that the last man to stab the mother of his child in this way got a seven-year sentence, and walked free from his trial after time spent on remand was deducted along with time off for this and that. The woman was called Diane Gerada, and she was stabbed just as viciously and received a comparable number of wounds. She was in bed alongside the couple's two-year-old child at the time, and when she crawled to the balcony to call for help, her husband went to the bathroom, picked up the lavatory bleach, and poured it all over her bleeding body. Just bear that in mind. It was only around 10 years ago.
Matthew Agius
Jan 22nd 2009, 23:08
Everyone's wise speaking with hind-sight.
There are many cases where being granted probation is acceptable. Perhaps we have to see not be so nice in such cases.
SHAME ON HIM to have said that - disgusting!
Joseph Schembri
Jan 22nd 2009, 22:09
The seriousness and atrocity of the crime are beyond words but let us not judge other people for we all will be judged some day. I do not know any details of the case but I am sure that something must have driven this man to this.
I am a believer in the God given right of freedom of will. As a natural consequence of this freedom we are all accountable for our actions eventually.
Just a thought - in countries with strict Moslem law a man is permitted to kill or allow his wife to be killed for various 'crimes'. Let us show that we are truly Christian and refrain from making hot headed arguments based solely on revenge. The beauty of Christ's teaching is perhaps best embodied in this single sentence: "He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone" John 8:7
E.Vella
Jan 22nd 2009, 21:56
I am amazed how it was not a 9 - 0; yes I know to protect the jury but such crimes which are a life imprisonment for a horrific murder...a 9-0 would be nice. I like to tell Mr.Schembri that his sarcasm must leave it when he is feeling alone in prison....repent your sin for a more heavy sentence is ready for you after this life...life is not eternal....after life is
He said so to maybe instigate the capital punishment...Justice is not a murderer and he now must pay...I only hope when the girl will marry he would not have the concession to go to her wedding...neither if certain guys say that he was quite good. He must have been good in his free life...he lost freedom forever
P.Schembri
Jan 22nd 2009, 21:41
Life imprisonment is 25 years.
M.Bezzina
Jan 22nd 2009, 21:31
Yes life imprisonment is till he dies at least that they said once on the TV. Mr Justice Galea Debono I believe he is the best in these kind of jury and considering the murder has happened infront of a 7yr old child!!
Franco Farrugia
Jan 22nd 2009, 21:30
@Edward Bartolo - You assume WRONGLY.
This is what we get when we are lenient.
edward bartolo
Jan 22nd 2009, 20:38
Quote: Mr Justice Galea Debono sentenced Mr Schembri to life imprisonment.
Does anyone know what is meant by "life imprisonment"? I am assuming it is till death.
c.camilleri
Jan 22nd 2009, 20:32
@ K.Zahra If he is not given a pardon. After a time the victim will be forgotten and then we will have the usual quarters calling for pardon. That is what i call shame.
Alfred Briffa
Jan 22nd 2009, 20:32
Veru li wara kulhadd BRAVU! Izda nispera li dak l-avukat li talab l-estenzjoni tal-probation f'isem David Schembri u l-Magistrat li accetta t-talba, jsibu hin jghidu talba ghar-ruh il-vittma u ma jinsewx lil dik il-povrfa tifla li kellha tghaddi min dak il-wahx.
A.Tabone
Jan 22nd 2009, 20:29
A typical example of incompetence by the Maltese ridiculous justice system. In my opinion the person responsible for extending probation should be held to account.
M Caruana
Jan 22nd 2009, 20:28
Does life actually mean life or will the killer be out in 18 or so years?
Theo Vella
Jan 22nd 2009, 20:26
May God Bless all Scicluna family!!! You have all good people support... Well done to the jury & Mr Justice Galea Debono, whoever will take over the criminal jury's after Mr Galea Debono MUST behave a he does... MAY JOSETTE PRAY FOR US FROM HEAVEN!
K. Zahra
Jan 22nd 2009, 20:14
The murderer said he is still alive,
but he will surely rot & rust in prison!
charmaine mangion
Jan 22nd 2009, 20:13
shame on the murderer. may the victim watch over her daughter from heaven and light her way
Paul Barrett
Jan 22nd 2009, 20:11
It is so easy to be wise after the event.
There is a problem here, it is just not practical to place all those that could or should be put away, in prison - the prison just is not big enough.
Many things have to be balanced when decisions are made - in this case unfortunately three lives have been wrecked by the decision not to place Mr Schembri in prison. (One now deceased, one now serving a life sentence and tragically, the daughter that was not only present during the incident but will have to live with the memory forever).
Vincent Pace
Jan 22nd 2009, 20:03
Prosit jury and most of all Judge. The law is being applied to the letter, for a change.
And justice has been done. Unfortunately it will never be enough to compensate for the loss of such a young life, and the trauma caused to the child.
John F. Galea
Jan 22nd 2009, 19:45
I am of the considered opinion that it is high time for the authorities to investigate the process of extension in probitions. A woman"s life may have been saved had timely appropriate action, as recommended and deemed fit by the appointed probation officer, been taken.
F. Spiteri
Jan 22nd 2009, 19:41
Well done for the sentence given. This is exactly the way things should be done !
R. Caruana
Jan 22nd 2009, 19:25
Thank you Mr Justice Galea Debono. Thank you Members of the Jury.
John Borg
Jan 22nd 2009, 18:56
The wise man (or woman) who extended this person's probation must surely have quite a few thoughts running through his or her mind, not just now, but ever since this horrific crime was committed. This startling fact has been hidden from the public till now. A inquest into the extension of this probation should be held so as to probe into the reasons this was done. This decision may have cost a woman her life. The person at the time should have seen the signs, as 12 previous convictions speak for themselves.