Doctor was told warden was killed in accident
The doctor on call at the Gozo hospital’s emergency department where murdered warden Fortunata Spiteri was taken had been told by the nurses she had been killed in a car accident.
Testifying this morning in the trial of former bus driver Gianni Attard, 64, known as Il-Muħa, who is pleading not guilty to fatally stabbing Fortunata Spiteri, 47, in 2001, Dr Patrick Sciberras said that there were no signs on the body that it had been in an accident and when her belt was opened, a deep wound was uncovered and a number of cuts could be seen through her underwear.
Mrs Spiteri died of blood loss by the time she was taken to hospital.
The victim’s husband, Joseph, testified yesterday afternoon. He said that on the night of the murder, his wife had gone home during her break and the two spoke. When it was time for her to leave she touched him on the shoulder, which he understood to mean goodbye. Just two hours later, at about 9.45 p.m., he received a call from hospital saying his wife had been involved in a car accident.
When he arrived at the emergency department the doctor told him “she’s gone” but he did not quite understand what he meant, at which point a priest emerged from behind the doctor and said that she had died.
They had been married for 26 years, he said, and he could not understand why anyone would want to hurt her, least of all the accused, with whom he had never had any arguments.
Asked if there had been any incidents involving his wife and the accused, Mr Spiteri recalled her mentioning an occasion when she had asked the accused to move his bus because he was occupying six parking spaces. He complied but she found it in the same spot soon afterwards and she asked him to move it again. He did so but she did not issue a fine over the incident, he said.
Aldo Cauchi, duty officer with the warden service on the night of the murder, said he was told about an accident and went to investigate. He found Ms Spiteri slumped over the steering wheel and struggling to breathe.
In reply to a question by the prosecution, he said she always did her job well.
The trial continues.
Lawyer Lara Lanfranco from the Attorney General’s Office prosecuted.
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Joseph Ellul - Sydney
Nov 19th 2010, 03:13
Malta is a very stressfull place for driving and parking. Tempers flare and road rage happens.
I must stress the point that the Maltese Government is solely responsible for these outcomes. There are persons who are employed to think and plan for the future of the islands. Lack of planning results in inefficiencies and loss of time and profits for all.
So, what has the government done to develop multistorey parking in each district ? Has anybody started using the car sharing system ?
There is no excuse for violence, but such behaviour is a result of underlying causes and unless the government starts an aggressive program in infrastructure to address the situation then this will not be the last one.
Governments must stop alienating the public with (un)popular projects such as the Valletta gate.
neville Debattista
Nov 18th 2010, 07:37
@M.Fenech. Most probably you are one of the many " arrogant " garage owners who either park their own car in front of their garage or else occupy some other place leaving their garage vacant so when a relative may pass by ............... "isib is-sodda mifruxa u lesta." Taf kemm ghandna minnhom dawn tas-Sliema.
mario aquilina
Nov 17th 2010, 15:53
'In reply to a question by the prosecution, he said she always did her job well'.
On this island, the Maltese do not like it when someone does his/her job well. They expect you to turn a blind eye to most things, as for a very long long time that is what they have got used to.
Bribes, friends of a friend sort of thing, and I am not talking politics. The average man on the street. Everyone's at it, everyone is doing it. I'm alright Jack, sod you. A bunch of liberty takers.
I've got someone in the garages below me illegally spraying, and he doesn't like me complaining to the authorities. I have also got neighbours who keep dogs illegally, as per written on our contract, and they also wants me to turn a blind eye. Why should I! It is my God given write to report those who refuse to stick to the regulations. Why should I suffer in silence.
Lock the guilty person up for the rest of his life, and throw away the key. Make sure that when he leaves, he is lying flat in a box.
M. Fenech
Nov 17th 2010, 16:34
I agree with you 100%! I live in a narrow street, and I have a garage along my house. I've been living in this house for the last 15 years, and I've always had people parking infront of my garage causing me a big inconveince, with the excuse that there's no better parking space, until one fine day I had an argument with a disabled person who works in the construction industry,because I couldn't get out of my garage because of his van. Besides he even tried to hit me!!! I took legal action against him in court and since that day, who ever park in front of my garage will get summoned. Unfortunately, that's the only way that I have to deal with arrogant people, most of who are not neibghours. They park, and after they pay! East isn't it!
M. Fenech
Nov 17th 2010, 15:51
Some weeks ago there was an accident involving a dog that jumped into a field and was shot by the field owner. There were many comments about this accident, and some even dared to say that if it was there dog, they would take the law in their hands!! What should the husband of this murdered warden do then????? She was killed because she was doing her duty, as witnessed in court!!
Any comments please!!! Or as I pointed out, that in certain cases, animals are replacing humans beings!