Main witness in transsexual prostitute murder was ‘very scared to testify’

Ronald Grima, witness in the murder case of transsexual prostitute Sion Grech, summoned to retestify, defence objects

A main witness in the murder case of transsexual prostitute Simon Grech was inconclusive because he was scared to divulge all the details.

The revelation was made this morning by prosecuting inspector Chris Pullicino during the compilation of evidence against 42-year-old Libyan national Ismael Habesh and 46-year-old Tunisian national Faicial Mabouachi.

The two men are pleading not guilty to the murder of transvestite prostitute Simon Grech, who was found dead in a field in an area known as Is-Salib tal-Marsa 13 April 2005, after having been reported missing for several days.

Autopsy reports revealed he had been stabbed multiple times.

The case has seen presiding Magistrate Carol Peralta warn the witnesses summoned by the prosecution of the consequences of lying under oath – one of whom was witness Ronald Grima, known as Romina, who during his last testimony in March was reprimanded by the prosecution for being hostile in his replies and for refusing to give details he had recounted to the police.

However, prosecuting officer Chris Pullicino told the court that Grima’s inconclusive testimony was because he was “confused to give any additional details.”

“After his previous testimony, he [Grima] had told me that he was confused and scared to say all the things he had to say. He also told me that he could remember more things,” Pullicino said.

"Consequently, the prosecution summoned Grima again so the court could rehear his testimony,” he held.

But with the witness already in court and prepared to take the oath, defence lawyer Joe Ellis objected to Grima’s summoning, arguing that his testimony had already been heard.

“The witness’s testimony will be similar to what he had already said, and the defence has already carried out its cross-examination. He can change his testimony before a jury,” Ellis said.

Magistrate Carol Peralta said he would decide whether or not to allow Grima to re-testify at a later stage. 

Earlier, Joseph Camilleri, who at the time of the murder was engaged to assist in the autopsy of Simon Grech, told the court that he had seen Grech’s body in a field in Marsa.

Camilleri also told the court that upon arriving at the scene of the crime, he spotted the murder victim on the ground with his face up and wearing women’s clothes.

While constantly referring to the victim on a first name basis, the court asked how he knew the victim, to which Camilleri told the court that he used to encounter Grech in bar in Hamrun.

Lawyer Joe Ellis is defence counsel, while Inspector Chris Pullicino is prosecuting.

The case has been adjourned until October 3.