 |
|
|
|
local
news
Zeppi eating pizza in hotel not a
problem
There was complete silence after last week's news story that Joseph
Fenech, better known as ‘Zeppi l-Hafi' was seen eating a pizza
in the same hotel that the jurors were staying at before giving
their verdict on the Meinrad Calleja trial.
And alongside this loaded silence, one well-known legal expert believes
that Fenech, the pardoned drug trafficker in the case, did not commit
any wrongdoing when he visited the SeaBank hotel.
"Fenech was a witness in a jury trial and was at liberty to
go anywhere he liked according to the freedom of movement law,"
the expert said.
The lawyer, who insisted on remaining anonymous because of his connection
to another case, told MaltaToday that had the witness offended,
intimidated or by other means done anything that would have made
the jurors feel uneasy, then that would have been different.
"If this happens the head of the jury should inform the judge
to take the necessary measures for it to stop," he said.
The lawyer said that there were many occurrences which could lead
to a mistrial being called.
"Comments from the media during the ongoing process, procedures
that go against the law, and other unlawful acts could be sufficient,"
he said.
But he was sceptical about whether the defence would make any inroads
with ‘Zeppi's' pizza excursion.
"If I was part of the defence counsel I could mention the fact
that ‘Zeppi l-Hafi' was at the hotel to influence the jurors,"
he said. "But on the other hand the prosecution might retaliate
by stating that the jurors would not be influenced by a man entering
a hotel where they were staying."
Nevertheless the fact that ‘Zeppi l-Hafi' chose to eat a pizza
with his family at the SeaBank Hotel in Mellieha Bay raised many
eyebrows.
And with countless pizzerias around the Island and Mr Fenech a well
known criminal who resides in St Julians, the news was bound to
be a talking point.
Meinrad Calleja was found guilty in trial by jury and was sentenced
to 15-years imprisonment and a Lm30,000 fine for drug conspiracy
and cocaine trafficking.
Fenech, who was the key witness in this case, was offered a pardon
in return for giving evidence.
Meanwhile, Calleja is set to appeal against the Criminal Court judgement.
The defence, led by Dr Emmanuel Mallia and Dr Ramona Frendo, have
been preparing their appeal since the day after the judgement on
Thursday, 5 April.
An appeal has to be brought made within 15 days of the sentence.
|
|
|
