The Police Corps had agreed to pay €10,000 to the heirs of a murder victim after a gold necklace which he was wearing on the day when he was killed was reported “missing or misplaced” from police custody, a court heard today.

Assistant Police Commissioner Carmelo Magri explained how the police had received a letter from the heirs of taxi driver Matthew Zahra upon finding out about the disappearance of the necklace from police headquarters. The letter had been written on behalf of Vincent Zahra and Crystle Grixti, father and partner of the victim respectively, as well as the couple's three children.

The deceased’s relatives claimed €25,000 by way of compensation for the ‘missing’ item of jewellery which has since never been recovered.

Assistant Commissioner Magri told the court how he had asked for a valuation of the necklace, weighing some 385 grams, according to the price of gold at the time when the necklace was being held by the police.

This item of jewellery could serve as a crucial factor in determining the identity of the victim after a bag of human bones was unearthed in a field in Qajjenza, limits of Birzebbugia, in August 2013 by investigators on the trail of two other murder victims, Mario Camilleri, known as ‘l-Imniehru’ and his 21-year old son.

The Valletta-born taxi driver had been reported missing in 2012 and the human remains dug up in Qajjenza are believed to be his. The necklace came into police possession during the arrest of 51-year old Ronald Urry, from Paola.

Mr Urry, together with Jason Galea, 41, from Birzebbugia, are currently facing criminal proceedings as suspects in the murder of Matthew Zahra.

Assistant Commissioner Magri said the police had agreed to make good the sum of €10,000 to Mr Zahra’s rightful heirs once the death certificate is  produced.

“Why do you keep insisting on this certificate, when such a document has not been issued?” questioned lawyer Stefano Filletti appearing parte civile for the victim's family.

It was pointed out that since the cause and precise date of Mr Zahra’s death had not yet been determined, the relative certificate could not be issued by the authorities.

Replying to questions by defence lawyer Mario Spiteri Bianchi, Assistant Commissioner Magri confirmed that the Zahra family had not been asked to produce proof of their ownership rights over the necklace. “I knew both father and son, as well as the latter's partner,” pointed out the witness.

According to normal procedure, such items are released to their rightful owners once court proceedings are terminated, Dr Spiteri Bianchi remarked.

The court’s attention next turned to the issue of bills of exchange which, according to the victim's father, had ‘disappeared’ from court.

In a recent interview on local media, Vincent Zahra had alleged that these bills of exchange, entitling him to receive payment from Jason Galea, had vanished.

Asked to confirm this allegation under oath, Mr Zahra explained how during an earlier sitting he had ‘seen’ these papers in the hands of one of the inspectors handling the prosecution.

Yet, Inspector Fabian Fleri, questioning the witness, pointed out that the bills of exchange had never been exhibited in the proceedings. “I have been through the whole case file and have found no record to this effect” insisted Inspector Fleri.

“No, no, the bills of exchange were not produced simply because they do not exist,” read out Magistrate Josette Demicoli, quoting from the recorded testimony of former Inspector Chris Pullicino.

Faced with this declaration and after being duly warned by the court that criminal steps could be taken against him for making a false declaration, Mr Zahra admitted that he might have been mistaken.

Besides the fact that emotions possibly played a part in this mistaken declaration by the victim's father, the man might not have fully understood what was being discussed in the courtroom, remarked Dr Filletti stepping in on behalf of his client.

Inspector Fabian Fleri prosecuted.

Lawyers Franco Debono and Angie Muscat were defence counsel to Ronald Urry.

Lawyer Mario Spiteri Bianchi was defence counsel to Jason Galea.

Lawyer Stefano Filletti appeared parte civile.

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