A man accused of three murders insisted with the court today that his bail conditions were affecting his employability.

Lawyer Mario Spiteri, representing Jason Galea, told the court that his client had found a job as a security officer but was unable to work because of his bail conditions.

He was making submissions before Magistrate Josette Demicoli on an application filed before the court requesting an amendment to his bail conditions.

Moreover, he said, he was unable to work as a security guard (in a catering establishment) because he required a specific licence issued by the Police Commissioner.

The matter was raised during the compilation of evidence against Mr Galea and Ronald Urry, who stand charged with the murder of taxi driver Matthew Zahra back in August 2012. Zahra’s remains were unearthed buried next to the bodies of the father and son Mario Camilleri, known as L-Imniehru, and his son Mario, whose bodies were found in a field in Qajjenza, limits of Birzebbugia.

Dr Spiteri said his client had completed a course to be able to work and earn money to maintain his family. He had already found another job but was unable to take up the offer because the Attorney General had objected.

"Here we are talking about the constitutional right to work. I believe my client ought to be given the opportunity to work," Dr Spiteri insisted.

He pointed out that time was passing and the Galea family was still suffering. He appealed to the magistrate to keep in mind that the defendant had a family to support.

Police Inspector Chris Pullicino,who is prosecuting, said that for Mr Galea to have his bail conditions altered, the court had to be satisfied that the requisites at law are respected. While acknowledging that work was a constitutional right, the court ought to hear the testimony of the person offering the employment to see what kind of employment it was and what hours he would have to work.

Mr Pullicino said that the police had not been informed of the identity of the employer and that this was necessary to ensure that there is no danger of tampering of evidence.

“I don’t want to be perceived as leaving the accused, who is still presumed innocent, with no income. However, on the other hand, while the defence has a duty towards the defendant, my duty is towards the victims' family," he said.
Magistrate Demicoli decreed that the employer ought to be summoned to testify on the job and hours of employment.

During today's sitting, court expert Bridgette Ellul also testified on the outcome of the second autopsy carried out on Mario Camilleri Snr, whereby she confirmed that the cause of death was a thrombosis in one of the arteries leading to the heart. She said examinations of the victim's head revealed no fresh gunshot wounds.

Sign up to our free newsletters

Get the best updates straight to your inbox:
Please select at least one mailing list.

You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link in the footer of our emails. We use Mailchimp as our marketing platform. By subscribing, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing.