Former inspector Daniel Zammit 'learned of crime scene demolition through the media'

Former police inspector Daniel Zammit has told a court that he had only become aware that a house in Qormi, the crime scene of a 2008 murder, had been demolished to make way for an apartment block, through the media after his resignation.

Zammit was answering questions put to him by lawyer Edward Gatt, who is appearing parte civile for the family of shooting victim Neville Baldacchino in proceedings against Stephen Caruana, who is accused of Baldacchino's murder. Baldacchino died of multiple gunshot wounds on December 19, 2008, in Caruana's house. 

Zammit testified that he had investigated the homicide and had been leading its prosecution up to the compilation stage. Gatt asked him at what stage he had found out about the demolition of the murder scene. The ex-policeman, however, told magistrate Neville Camilleri that he had only found out that the place had been disturbed through the media, as he had already left the police force at that time.

An inquiry into the house's destruction had been ordered by the Prime Minister. The resulting report accused the 35-year-old former police inspector of acting unethically, following revelations that Zammit had business ties to the Gaffarena family. Joe Gaffarena's daughter, Romina was married to the accused, Stephen Caruana.

In that report, retired judge Michael Mallia said that Zammit had not declared a conflict of interest whilst investigating the murder.

Inspector Keith Arnaud is prosecuting. Lawyer Giannella Demarco is defence counsel to Caruana. Zammit was assisted by lawyer Stefano Filletti.