Ray Pace

The bribery case against former judge Ray Pace, who was found dead at his home on Sunday, was due to be heard on Monday in proceedings which will now be formally declared extinguished.

As is standard procedure, once a defendant passes away the death certificate is presented in court and the magistrate declares the “extinguishment of the criminal action”, legal sources said.

A post-mortem examination has confirmed there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death.

Dr Pace had been charged with accepting bribes, conspiring to commit a crime and trading in influence.

The police alleged he tried to influence the outcome of a sentence passed by Mr Justice Lawrence Quintano in a case involving convicted trafficker Darrin Desira.

Two other men, Raymond Caruana, a 51-year-old truck driver from Żebbuġ, and Sandro Psaila, a 40-year-old restaurateur of Valletta, are charged with bribing the judge in an attempt to ensure that Mr Desira receives a long prison term.

Mr Justice Quintano testified in the last sitting held on April 8, denying he had been influenced by Dr Pace. The sitting was put off to Monday after questions asked by lawyers appearing for Mr Desira elicited a strong reaction from Mr Justice Quintano.

On Monday, Dr Pace’s death certificate is expected to be presented and the proceedings declared will be extinguished. The case against Mr Caruana and Mr Psaila will proceed normally. Former Judge Ray Pace’s body was discovered by a family member at his home.