Saturday, 1st August 2009
Fatal hit-and-run
Unemployed motorist charged with manslaughter, drink driving
In this picture featured on his HI5 profile, Anthony Taliana is seen sitting on the roof of his car which he was allegedly driving when Cliff Micallef was fatally run over.
A 21-year-old Ħamrun motorist who allegedly was driving under the influence of alcohol was yesterday charged with the manslaughter of keen cyclist Cliff Micallef on Thursday morning.
Anthony Taliana, who is unemployed, pleaded not guilty to involuntary homicide, driving in a dangerous manner and when drunk, failing to stop at an accident, driving without insurance and relapsing after being convicted for dangerous driving for which he had been fined.
Mr Taliana's defence lawyer, Michael Sciriha said his client wanted to express his deepest sympathy to the victim's family.
Mr Micallef, who had planned to join the Lifecycle challenge next week, was cycling at 5.15 a.m. along the coast road in Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq when he was killed in a hit-and-run. The police found part of a car and a number plate close to where Mr Micallef died. Mr Taliana's car, a blue Opel Astra, is known to have suffered extensive damage in the front part. It has been impounded by the police.
Magistrate Anthony Vella denied a request for bail and remanded Mr Taliana in custody.
Police Inspector Kevin Farrugia prosecuted. Lawyer Ian Farrugia also appeared for Mr Taliana.
Lawyer Alexander Schembri appeared parte civile.
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Comments
His family might be a "Good" family but I wonder if his father thought of anyone else's children his OWN son could harm by letting him drive around without a license and after he had been previously accused of similar crimes.
Than when something like this happens johorgu l Ghorrief jippuntaw subghajhom, cause this and that imma mbad it's too late. The victim cannot come back imma improve and educate people you always can
OK Joss?
Even if a cyclist is driving in the middle of the road you have no right to run him over.
Toninu, as you so put it allegedly has a large chunk of the blame, the rest I blame his parents for letting him drive an uninsured vehicle.
A good family in this case is your perception!!!!!!!
Condemn the system????!!! So you condemn the system for his alleged reckless driving and putting in danger his life and the life of others???!!!! What system do you want to condemn!! Maybe he comes from a good family but it's he who allegedly did the wrong thing. I experienced a loss in the family because of an inconsiderate driver. I don't think you will write the same as you did if someone killed a person dear to you just because he wants to have fun speeding! I don't think the e-mail about Anthony is fair though!
We have heard comments from cliff's family, it would be very interesting to hear the comments of Mr Taliana's family and their views to see if they feel that their son has done any wrongdoing.
Poor Cliff ...
As a cyclist , from the same area and cycling in the same vicinity, I can only praise the person, whom I met on a number of occasions exchanging brief greetings ,however I would appreaciate it if the Times newspaper actually shows a photo of the area where the accident took place.
If a photo of the area is shown anyone will certainly notice the following:
1:A fig tree blocking the cyclists lane - thereby forcing any cyclist out of the cyclists lane.
2-Poor markings on the ground which at times fail to show drivers that a cycle lane actually exists.
3-Debris through-out the cyclists lane.