A request for bail by a woman facing criminal proceedings over her alleged involvement in the death of two Englishmen who had used her Qawra apartment, is to be decided upon by a judge in chambers.

Dragana Mijalkovic, 42, is accused of the involuntary homicide of David Grant, 68, and Neville Ayers, 78. T 

Mr Ayers's body had been found in the woman's apartment bearing abrasions on both his forearms. An autopsy established the cause of death as asphyxia.  

The Serbian woman became a suspect after it was noted that nine months previously, another Englishman had also died in the same flat. The cause of Mr Grant's death had been attributed to pulmonary oedema.

An earlier request for bail had been turned down by a magistrate's court and an appeal was filed before the criminal court.

The court, presided over by Mr Justice Antonio Mizzi, heard how the main civilian witnesses in the case had already testified. “All that are left are court experts,” the defence lawyer pointed out.

Moreover, although the accused had no family ties in Malta, she had made no attempt to abscond in spite of the lapse of some 11 months between the alleged offence and her arraignment. This was surely ample time for the woman “to pack her bags and leave Malta,” her lawyer argued. 

On the other hand, lawyer Elaine Rizzo from the office of the Attorney General, countered that the serious nature of the offence had to be considered, pointing out that the case presented a “very particular” scenario.

Although the cause of the first death had not suggested foul play, months later, the second death was deemed suspicious as it had been due to asphyxiation. “This is not the classical case of involuntary homicide, where someone shoots someone by accident,” the prosecution argued.

It was also noted that the woman had no job and had lived off the men’s earnings even after their death. Moreover, although neighbours who were to testify had since moved out of the apartment block, there were other civilian witnesses who were expected to give evidence.

Lawyer Peter Fenech was defence counsel.