Last prosecution witness in soldier’s death case

A high-ranking army officer yesterday testified he had assisted in far more difficult training exercises than the one in which young recruit Matthew Psaila died in cold murky water on a winter day two years ago at Chadwick Lakes.

Lieutenant Colonel Ian Ruggier was the last witness for the prosecution to testify in the case against Lieutenant Christian Vella, 27, of Żabbar and Lance Bombardier Marvic Peregin, 31, of Pembroke, who stand charged with the involuntary homicide of the 19-year-old soldier.

Lt Vella was in charge of the training exercise and Bdr Peregin was assisting the group of soldiers that included the victim.

Gnr Psaila died three days after suffering hypothermia during a training exercise in Chadwick Lakes on February 13, 2009. He had found himself in difficulty wading through freezing water along a tunnel.

Lt Col Ruggier said he joined the ranks in 1989 and began leading such exercises in 1991. He had assisted in far more difficult training exercises than the one in which the gunner had died.

Defence lawyer Stephen Tonna Lowell asked him whether the accused were in charge of the purchasing of life jackets and safety equipment. The witness said that if a request to buy such equipment was made a decision would have been taken higher up the ranks.

The sort of training in question was for soldiers who opted to enter the infantry and other soldiers who were required to do the training as part of entry requirements, he said.

Lawyer Michael Tanti Dougall, appearing for Gnr Psaila’s family, asked the witness who was responsible on the day and who would be in charge of deciding whether to call off the training, if, for example, conditions were not good.

Lt Col Ruggier said it would be at the discretion of the leaders to make a “suggestion” to higher ranking officers who would then make a final decision. In a previous sitting, Magistrate Audrey Demicoli heard forensic pathologist Mario Scerri explaining that Gnr Psaila had died of hypothermia and not drowning and that his core body temperature was three degrees below normal.

The case continues with the defence expected to present its case at the beginning of July.

Lawyers Joe Giglio also appeared for the accused.

Police Inspector Joseph Agius prosecuted.