A magistrate, probably annoyed at comments made by a defence counsel, yesterday accused sections of the media of blowing things out of proportion.

Magistrate Antonio Micallef Trigona made the comments during the continuation of the compilation of evidence against Jason Galea and George Galea, accused of killing convicted drug trafficker Mario Camilleri and his son Mario Jr.

Jason Galea, together with Ronald Urry, 49, of Paola, is also accused of killing Mathew Zahra.

Dr Micallef Trigona made his comments when lawyer Giannella de Marco, appearing for George Galea, complained that the last sitting was held six weeks ago and, yet, no witnesses were brought to testify yesterday even if four police inspectors were involved in the case.

Stopping Dr de Marco, the magistrate said she was speaking in a manner that would attract media attention.

Though not going into detail, the magistrate spoke in the sense of certain sections of the media being critical of the courts and blowing things out of proportion. Looking at reporters from Times of Malta, The Malta Independent, Maltatoday, l-Orrizont and In-Nazzjon he said: “Don’t look so surprised. You know what I’m speaking about.

“Everyone takes a dig at the courts and then expect their rights to be protected,” Dr Micallef Trigona said without elaborating.

The magistrate then told Police Inspector Fabian Fleri, the only one of the four investigators to have testified so far, that regardless of how many police inspectors there were witnesses had to be heard even if the officers were sick and only one turned up for the sitting.

The case was put off until September 29.