Updated: 'Serial killer' jailed for life
Saviour Mangion, 45, was jailed for life today after a jury found him guilty of the murder of Rosina Zammit, 54, who was stabbed in her home in Safi in 1984.
She had suffered 37 stab wounds.
Mangion was also convicted of burglary.
Handing down sentence, Mr Justice Joseph Galea Debono described Mr Mangion as a serial killer - he had also been convicted in 2002 for the murder in 1998 of Francis Caruana and the attempted murder of his sister Guzeppa in another burglary.
Mangion, who is already in prison, is also undergoing proceedings for the murder of Maria Stella Magrin in 1986.
He had initially admitted to the police that he stabbed Rosina Zammit, adding that he stole Lm200 (€465) from the home, which he spent later that day in Paceville.
He later pleaded not guilty, claiming he made his confession to the police after being promised cigarettes, eggs and chips.
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Marvin Bugeja
Jun 24th 2010, 13:34
@ Eric Gahn: From a citizen's point of view it doesn't matter if this guy is the result of a bad childhood or a severe mental disability. And I insist. It shouldn't matter! When you have a rotten apple, you discard of it immediately and not stay asking yourself ... but why is the apple rotten? maybe it is rotten as a result of some injustice?! No. For the good of the other apples you discard it immediately. Of course, if you can do something to avoid other apples from getting rotten in the future you must do your utmost BUT those rotten should be effectively removed for the sake of the other good apples. Another great job Mr. Justice. We need more judges to follow your example. Let's keep removing the rotten effectively!
Lydia Pace Workman
Jun 24th 2010, 04:38
All it takes is more than one committed murder to be labeled a serial killer, this guy fits the bill!!!
joseph cachia
Jun 23rd 2010, 23:20
s.axisa
You are totally wrong.
There were no bullies, no bronx style enviroment nor shelter type habitat.
Life style of all family (less two) started on the wrong path 102 years ago
s axisa
Jun 24th 2010, 12:50
j cachia
you don't know nether the facts nor the family....so it must be you who is totally wrong. Read my piece again, will you??? I never mentioned any 'bully'!!!! This is no case of 'bully'. Check the facts first and then put pen to paper..not the other way round.
Antoine Zammit
Jun 23rd 2010, 19:31
On behalf of my family I would like to thank the judge for this sentence. Zija Rosina you can now rest in peace after so many years!!
Antoine Zammit
Charles Tabone
Jun 23rd 2010, 18:51
Why was such a violent person left at large in the general public? If only the police offered him cigarettes, eggs and chips when he was first suspected of murder he might have not been around to commit a further two murders.
apgrech
Jun 23rd 2010, 18:20
The police deserve our thanks and recognition. They don't have an easy job but they are doing their job very well. The society needs protection from hard core criminals and this has been one successful case.
Mr Justice Galea Debono too deserves our thanks for dealing with criminals accordingly.
The crimes committed in this case are horrible and inhumane. May we not see similar criminals in our midsts.
H Psaila
Jun 23rd 2010, 18:02
@Eric Gahn Here go the do gooders! Guilty of two murders of elderly persons, accused of another, possibly more to his credit. That must be very Christian for you isn't it?
Eric Gahn
Jun 23rd 2010, 17:43
@H Psaila:
'May he rot in jail"???? That is very christian of you.
Has anyone given a thought that this man, more than being a criminal, is a psychopath. I am not saying free him back in society as he clearly does not think twice to murder someone. But maybe prison is not the right thing for him. Do we have suitable structures in malta to cater for such individuals?
Charles Callus
Jun 23rd 2010, 18:19
You mean a maximum security institution for the criminally insane? No, we don't have one.
Edward Zammit
Jun 23rd 2010, 23:28
@ Charles Callus
On the contrary my friend, there is the Forensic Ward at the Mount Carmel Hospital, It is an annex of the CCF dedicated to cater for prisoners with mental problems.
victorvella
Jun 23rd 2010, 23:29
Gahn
forsi il bir tas skieken qed tghid?
Anne Farrugia
Jun 24th 2010, 11:26
Mr Gahn, do the Christian act yourself, by all means and look after him in your own home, feed him, cloth him etc. Enjoy it!
G. Marks
Jun 24th 2010, 14:47
As a humble Christian I do not judge.. as a mother, daughter, sibling, I would at least, wish the worst for anyone killing my loved ones..
gaetano walker
Jun 23rd 2010, 17:19
Praise should go for Insp. Chris Pullicino and all the members of the CID , led by AC Pierre Callejja, for the brilliant work they are doing to saveguard our nation..
For all the persons that commented negatively towards, during this trial, i say wait for the final verdict.,
Jesmond Micallef
Jun 23rd 2010, 17:06
I congratulate the Law Courts of Malta for sentencing this man with somewhat lower then average IQ and with a psychiatric condition to life behind bars.
May I remind my dear old fellow Maltese citizens, whoever they are, whether on Malta or wherever they are that Raymond Caruana was murdered as a direct result of political terrorism way back in Malta of the 1980's. Any developments in this regard from the Elite of Maltese Intelligentia ?
victor pulis
Jun 23rd 2010, 17:04
I am half expecting to read the now famous quotation...He who is without sin etc.etc.
G Falzon
Jun 23rd 2010, 16:58
Thank you, Your Honour. The nation is grateful.
t. borg
Jun 23rd 2010, 15:56
kull bniedem jizbalja u ghandu jinghata cans ipatti tal-hsara li jaghmel lis-socjeta' izda t-tieni darba le, mhux tajjeb biex jithallat mas-socjeta'. fl-opinjoni tieghi la bnieden gie moghti ghomru l-habs ghandu jkollu d-dritt li jtemm hajtu.
S Axisa
Jun 23rd 2010, 15:39
I have no intention of deminishing the gravity of the crimes...but the poor guy was brought up in a Bronx-style environment, where the struggle-of-the-fitest rule prevails and if i recall correctly, literally living in a war-shelter-type habitat. This reality, of course does not, in anyway validate the alleged actions.
H Psaila
Jun 23rd 2010, 15:20
Good for him capital punishment has been abolished. The man, if one could call him so, deserves the gallows nothing less.
James Farrugia
Jun 23rd 2010, 15:24
@H Psaila: he won't rot, they'll be feeding him chips and eggs :P
Jesmond Micallef
Jun 23rd 2010, 18:26
Maybe you should research the former laws pertaining to the appication of the death penalty in Malta. !! The death penalty is no justice whatsoever.
R Azzopardi
Jun 23rd 2010, 15:05
A Deserved Judgement!!!!!! Prosit and Big Thank You to Judge Galea Debono for his Brilliant Judgements throughout his time as Judge. Ad Multos Annos!
C.Formosa
Jun 23rd 2010, 15:27
Absolutely,
Judge Galea Debono has the respect and gratitude of the nation.
marthese mussett
Jun 23rd 2010, 18:01
Thank you Mr Justice Joseph Galea Debono,a man with a heart ,who feels for the poor victims and their families.
D. Scerri
Jun 23rd 2010, 15:05
Hardly a serial killer.
R. Azzopardi
Jun 23rd 2010, 15:43
Hardly a serial killer? The man has definitely killed two people and possibly a third. How many does one need to kill to be dubbed as a serial killer?
S King
Jun 23rd 2010, 18:04
Yes, he is a serial killer. Someone is generally considered a serial killer after having murdered 3 or more people. He has already been convicted of 2 murders and about to be convicted of another.
H Psaila
Jun 23rd 2010, 14:22
May he rot in jail.
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