A magistrate yesterday issued an order for a police inspector to testify at the next sitting and tell the court about his investigation into the alleged theft of a €25,000 gold necklace from police headquarters.
The chain belongs to murdered taxi driver Matthew Zahra.
Mr Zahra’s lawyer, Stefano Filletti, who is appearing parte civile, yesterday said the family was still waiting for information on the outcome of the investigation.
The issue was brought up during the compilation of evidence against Jason Galea, 39, of Marsa and Ronald Urry, 49, of Paola who are denying murdering Mr Zahra in August 2012.
Mr Zahra’s remains were found buried in a field in Qajjenza last year.
A witness, Alfredo Attard, has said in court that before burying Mr Zahra and covering his body with soil, Mr Urry took a gold necklace from around Mr Zahra’s neck but Mr Galea asked him to put it back. Dr Filletti said the necklace was estimated to cost €25,000.
When the family formally requested the necklace’s return in July, prosecuting inspector Chris Pullicino said it had gone missing during the investigation and an inquiry was looking into the matter.
No wonder Sliema residents are worried about thefts if things are even going missing from depot
Lawyer Joe Giglio, appearing for Mr Galea, said the disappearance of the necklace was “truly shocking”.
“No wonder Sliema residents are worried about thefts in the locality if things are even going missing from the depot,” he quipped.
Magistrate Demicoli ordered that Police Inspector Fabian Fleri be called to testify on the outcome of his investigation into the alleged theft.
Yesterday, Dr Filletti also called on the court to order experts to speed up the process so Mr Zahra’s remains could be released, as he had not yet been given a proper burial.
Mr Zahra’s remains were recovered while the police were looking for the bodies of murdered drug baron Mario Camilleri, L-Imnieħru, and his son Mario Jr. The bones were mixed with animal remains and that was why they needed to be identified and sorted.
“It is more of an emotional issue rather than a legal one,” Dr Filletti told Magistrate Josette Demicoli.
She ordered that Mr Zahra’s remains be separated from the animal bones.
The case continues.