Juan Ameen
Driver 'ignored request to stop'
Accused admitted hitting someone - inspector
A girl who was given a lift by Anthony Taliana on the day he allegedly ran over a cyclist on the Coast Road asked him to stop after the impact but he ignored her and drove on, a court heard yesterday.
When the police tracked him down, five hours later, he was asleep in an apartment in Buġibba and still smelled of alcohol, Police Inspector Kevin Farrugia said during the compilation of evidence in the case yesterday.
A breathalyser test was taken and the results showed that his alcohol level was still very close to the legal limit despite the time that had elapsed.
The police arrested him and took him down to the station but the officer said he had to warn him to bring his arrogance down a notch before the interrogation started.
Earlier, the police officer said Mr Taljana's passenger, 17-year-old Natasha Chesney, had said during an interview that she had told him to stop but he kept going.
Mr Taliana, 21, from Ħamrun is pleading not guilty to involuntary homicide, drunk driving, driving without insurance and relapsing. He had already been convicted for dangerous driving a few years ago.
His alleged victim, keen cyclist and charity volunteer Clifford Micallef, who was meant to join the LifeCycle challenge, was out on his bike on the Coast Road in Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq at 5.15 a.m. on July 30 when he was knocked down.
The front bumper of the car and its number plate were left at the scene - which is how the police traced Mr Taliana.
Magistrate Audrey Demicoli yesterday heard the inspector say that the reflecting material and the flashing light of the bicycle could be clearly seen in the dim morning light.
During the interrogation, Mr Taliana admitted that he had drunk a certain quantity of alcohol and that he had hit a person while driving but failed to stop, Inspector Farrugia testified.
Following a request by defence lawyer Michael Sciriha, Magistrate Demicoli placed Mr Taliana under house arrest against a deposit of €1,500 and a personal guarantee of €5,000.
Earlier, Inspector Farrugia argued against bail, saying the magisterial inquiry had not yet been concluded and that more evidence might come to light.
Lawyer Ian Farrugia also appeared for Mr Taliana. Lawyer Alexander Schembri appeared parte civile.
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M. Mercieca
Aug 13th 2009, 08:25
"The police arrested him and took him down to the station but the officer said he had to warn him to bring his arrogance down a notch before the interrogation started" - he should be ashamed of himself, being arrogant allegedly after such an act. Harsher punishments are due in this country.
Dr Savior Tortell Pisani
Aug 13th 2009, 01:41
@Isobel Mcgonigle
We may never be able to PROOVE that he was drunk during the incident... BUT he admitted drink driving during the interrogation AND we also KNOW for a fact who his BeSt FrienD is:
mY BeSt FrienD........
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tonitaliana/3446733643/
r pace bonello
Aug 12th 2009, 19:39
The alleged cold-bloodedness and the arrogance of this person is unbelievable.
But could he really be blamed! I suspect that this is a case of 'spare the rod and spoil the child'. The fact that his father testified that he was the guilty one speaks volumes.
Joseph Vassallo
Aug 12th 2009, 18:56
Ms McGonigle, you've got me wondering how much influence the evidence of bartender/s (how much time spent in their establishment, what type alcohol and how much consumed, condition of the person when leaving, etc) might have in a court of law.
Jim Laney
Aug 12th 2009, 18:42
isobel mcgonigle
sorry you are incorrect
there has been in place and established method for testing for claimed alcohol consumption after such incidents..it is called a countback and has been in place in uk law for 20 years
etienne grima
Aug 12th 2009, 18:23
@Isobel Mcgonigle,
Sure you can say that but it will be a little tad difficult to convince the police when your buper + numberplate is attached to a dead body in a middle of the road
Isobel Mcgonigle
Aug 12th 2009, 17:14
Sorry guys and gals,not defending the accused ,
Just saying in the U.K if a drunk driver makes it home,into his or her,house,straight away,knocking back the spirits,a Police breathalyser test is a waste of time,
All they have to say is they have been drinking at home,nothing can be proved
fabian muliet
Aug 12th 2009, 16:01
What baffles me is, how someone can run over another being ( and by the looks of it, it was'nt a small impact) and just keep going home or wherever to sleep!!!
George Debono
Aug 12th 2009, 14:13
@ Isobel Mcgonigle
It should be possible to calculate/extrapolate t the approximate concentration ('level') of alcohol in his blood at the time of the accident 5 hours before by appling so-clled pharmacokinetic principles.
I hope there is some expert out there who knows how to do this.
Somebody would have to be phenonenally cold-blooded to sleep after causing such a terrible fatality.... you can draw your own conclusions...
Hope they do the calculation
G
Joseph Spiteri
Aug 12th 2009, 13:53
@Isobel Mcgonigle
That is why in most other countries the penalty for leaving the scene of an accident is harsh. Lets hope justice is done here. Drink driving is something that we tolerate on this island. It is accepted as normal for a long time. Perhaps it is time to change our thinking as a nation. I hope Mr Taliana finds it in himself to be honest with the investigation
Jonathan Barbara
Aug 12th 2009, 13:44
@ Ms Mcgonigle.... During the interrogation, Mr Taliana admitted that he had drunk a certain quantity of alcohol and that he had hit a person while driving but failed to stop, Inspector Farrugia testified. Does that say it all?!
Isobel Mcgonigle
Aug 12th 2009, 11:42
The reports say the police tracked him down 5 hours later,asleep in an apartment in Buggiba,and he was breathalysed,because he smelt of alcohol.
How can this prove he was under the influence when he had the accident ,some 5 hours prior?
All he has to say,he had a few drinks of alcohol,on reaching the apartment,no one could prove otherwise
G Falzon
Aug 12th 2009, 09:38
JUSTICE SHOULD NOT ONLY BE DONE BUT SHOULD ALSO APPEAR TO BE DONE.
At least someone in authority should explain these hot controversial issues to the general public......else justice will wobble in the eyes of the citizen.