Charged with perjury in Marsaxlokk murder case

The girlfriend of Twanny Borg Il-Bona, who was stabbed to death in Marsaxlokk a year ago, was yesterday charged with giving false testimony during a magisterial inquiry.

Claire Magri, 29, of Valletta, pleaded not guilty to the charge, to tampering with evidence and to illegally carrying a firearm on the day of the murder. No further light was thrown on any of the accusations in court yesterday.

Mr Borg was allegedly fatally stabbed on February 21, 2010 by Allan Galea, 31, who is undergoing criminal proceedings and is out on bail. He denies the charge.

Ms Magri’s defence lawyers, José Herrera and Veronique Dalli, told the court she had not actually given false evidence but, having just witnessed her boyfriend dying in a poll of blood, she was not in the right frame of mind to testify when asked to do so. In fact, a few days later she went back to the police headquarters to clarify what she had said under oath, only to be faced with the charge of lying under oath, the lawyers said.

Magistrate Antonio Mizzi put off the case pending the conclusion of the case against Mr Galea.

Police officers had testified that Mr Galea had told them he had received a phone call from Mr Borg who challenged him to a fight in the village square. Mr Galea replied he was not a boy, did not fear him and could stand up to him.

Mr Galea also told the police he dismantled his stall at the flea market and considered taking a harpoon with him to the encounter but decided on a knife instead.

When he arrived at the square, he was assaulted by Mr Borg and his brother Frans, the accused told the investigating officer. He admitted stabbing the victim and then running away.