Il-Bona murder: Jury trial begins

Judge Antonio Mizzi delivered his opening address to the jury who will be deciding the fate of Allan Galea, accused of the 2010 murder of Anthony “Twanny” Borg, known as il-Bona, this morning.

Borg was stabbed to death in a Marsaxlokk square following an argument with the accused. Gunshots had also been heard before the stabbing.

Galea, a 36-year-old monti hawker from Marsaxlokk, is accused of the wilful homicide of Borg.

The seven men and five women who make up the jury – the number is understood to include a juror who will be in reserve – were given a crash course in the basics of criminal law by the judge, who then explained their roles as “judges of the facts ”

“You must empty your minds of any previous knowledge,” explained the judge. “You are going to hear the proof exhibited by the parties and you must decide on the basis of this proof alone. There must be no prejudice or preconceptions.”

Lawyers Giannella Caruana Curran, Stephen Tonna Lowell and Joe Giglio are appearing as defence counsel to the accused, whilst lawyers Franco Debono and Matthew Brincat are appearing parte civile. 

Lawyers Lara Lanfranco and Kristina Debattista, from the office of the Attorney General, are prosecuting.