The defence counsel of former Chief Justice Noel Arrigo argued in court today that a timeline of events showed that Dr Arrigo had not been influenced to change an appeals court sentence.
Joseph Giglio made his arguments at the opening of the appeal of Chief Justice Arrigo, who last November was jailed for two years and nine months after being convicted of bribery to reduce a drug trafficker's jail term on appeal.
The court is presided by Mr Justice David Scicluna, Mr Justice Joseph Zammit Mckeon and Mr Justice Noel Cuschieri.
Dr Giglio said the timeline was essential to prove his client’s innocence.
He explained that when drug tarricker Mario Camilleri’s original 16-year judgement was handed down, Mr Camilleri’s lawyers were stunned as they were under the impression that the prosecution - then led by Attorney General representative Mark Said - had spoken of a 12-year jail term if Mr Camilleri filed a guilty plea, which he did.
Dr Giglio said that in January 2002, Anthony Grech Sant, Dr Arrigo’s childhood friend, was approached to help Mr Camilleri get a reduced jail term on appeal. Dr Giglio pointed out that Mr Grech Sant had testified that, when he mentioned money to Dr Arrigo, Dr Arrigo said he did not do such things and the conversation ended there.
In April 2002, Mr Camilleri’s lawyers filed the appeal.
Mr Justice Filletti, who had been sitting on the Appeals Court with then Mr Justice Arrigo and Mr Justice Patrick Vella, had testified that Dr Vella felt the judgement should be reduced. Dr Filletti said he felt this should be to 13 years.
Dr Arrigo had pointed out that they still had to wait for lawyers’ submissions before deciding. The case was put off for judgement to July 5, 2002. A few days before that, the defence and the prosecution called a meeting with the three judges to stress the plea bargaining agreement. Dr Vella eventually reduced the punishment to 12 years after the three judges agreed and were satisfied it was within the legal parameters.
Dr Giglio went on to explain that on July 4, Joseph Zammit, known as Is-Sei, met Dr Arrigo in Valletta and mentioned that Mr Camilleri was willing to pay him to change the judgement. Evidence showed that Dr Arrigo told him off. By this date, the 12-year judgement had already been written, Dr Giglio pointed out.
After the judgement was handed down, Mr Grech Sant was approached by Mr Zammit and Mr Camilleri’s son who told him to pay Dr Arrigo. Some time later Mr Grech Sant went to Mr Arrigo’s offices with an envelope containing the money. When he handed it over, Dr Arrigo told him to take the money back and give it to charity. But Dr Arrigo kept the envelope. Tormented by what happened he told a friend priest and they planned to give the cash to charity. But before he could do so, he was arrested and charged, Dr Giglio said.