‘Racist attack’ probe deemed rudimentary

A lawyer defending four bouncers from charges of trying to kill a Somali man yesterday questioned the very basics of the case and ripped into the police investigation.

David Bonello, 52, of Għargħur, Charlton Abela, 29, from Cospicua, Roderick Attard, 26, of Kalkara and Anthony Azzopardi, 31, from Buġibba face up to 30 years in prison if found guilty.

The incident occurred on June 24, 2007, at 1.30 a.m. outside Fuego nightclub in Paceville.

Nigerian Olori Lucky and Somali Felix Idisi Oduh claimed they were barred entry because the bouncers were racist, while the accused said the men were unfit to be allowed in.

Lawyer Joseph Giglio told jurors that the police investigation was rudimentary at best, with the only photos of the crime scene being chairs turned upside down.

He noted that CCTV footage of the brawl showed nothing more than his clients defending themselves from the onslaught of the alleged victims.

The jurors are expected to retire to deliberate today.