Daphne Caruana Galizia murder | Man who triggered bomb heard the explosion live on brother's phone

George Degiorgio, who is suspected of having triggered the car bomb by SMS, listened to the explosion live over his brother's phone, the court heard this morning.

Degiorgio was out at sea on his boat, the Maya, when he sent the fatal SMS. From Tuesday's testimony, it transpired the boat was berthed below the Great Siege Bell in the Grand Harbour.

The court on Wednesday heard that George's brother, Alfred Degiorgio, who was acting as a spotter in Bidnija, called him a minute before the explosion to inform him of Caruana Galizia's movements. George Degiorgio heard the explosion live on his brother's phone.

Police Inspector Keith Arnaud continued testifying on the investigation that led to the arrest of the three suspects. Arnaud said the phone call between the two brothers lasted 107 seconds, which was approximately the time it took to drive from the Caruana Galizia family home to the site where the car exploded, just down the hill.

Arnaud, who is the lead investigator, was the first to take the witness stand on Tuesday, giving details of the meticulous investigation that used mobile phone location data and phone taps to piece together the movements of the accused on the day of the murder. He continued testifying on Wednesday, followed by Inspector Kurt Zahra.

Zahra said the car leased by Caruana Galizia had undergone repairs and was delivered back to her on 25 September. He said that Caruana Galizia's son, Matthew, had also used the car and was the last one to park it outside the gate of the family home in Bidnija the night before the murder.

According to the slain journalist's widower, Peter Caruana Galizia, who also testified in court, his wife had taken the habit of garaging the car in the months before the murder. However, on the Sunday before the murder, his son Matthew had, for no particular reason, parked the car outside the gate.

The bomb had been placed inside the car just before 2am on 16 October. In fact, the SIM card linked to the electronic device that served as the detonator was activated at 1.41am, according to police testimony. The message that triggered the explosion was received at 2.59pm on that same day.

The compilation of evidence will continue on Thursday morning when the magistrate is expected to decide whether the three men should stand trial.

What we know from today's testimony

• Alfred Degiorgio's DNA matched that found on a cigarette butt, which was picked up from the Victoria Lines
• Alfred Degiorgio was the spotter monitorring the Caruana Galizia household and is believed to have remained all night at the vantage point
• Alfred called his brother George Degiorgio to inform him Caruana Galizia had left the house
• The call lasted 107 seconds, which is the time it takes to drive from the house to where the bomb exploded
• After detonating the bomb by SMS, George Degiorgio messaged his wife with the words: "Buy me wine, my love."
• George Degiorgio had been telling people the day before the murder that he was going fishing
• After the incident George was heard boasting "I've caught two big fish today".
• Though unemployed, the Degiorgio brothers each owned a boat and luxury cars

Meanwhile, this is what we learnt from the police testimony on Tuesday.

Who are the accused

• George Degiorgio 55, unemployed, lives in St Paul's Bay, known as Ic-Ciniz
• Alfred Degiorgio, 53, unemployed lives in St Paul's Bay, known as il-Fulu
• Vincent Muscat, 55, unemployed lives in Msida, known as il-Kohhu

Who are the defence lawyers

• Legal aid lawyer Martin Fenech is appearing for Vince Muscat
• Legal aid lawyer Josette Sultana is appearing for George Degiorgio
• Lawyers William Cuschieri and Martha Mifsud are appearing for Alfred Degiorgio

Who is prosecuting

• Deputy attorney general Philip Galea Farrugia
• Police Inspectors Keith Arnaud and Kurt Zahra
• Lawyers Jason Azzopardi and Therese Comodini Cachia are appearing parte civile

14:55 This concludes today's live blog. Tune in tomorrow for further updates. Matthew Agius

14:45 The case will continue to be heard tomorrow at 10:00hrs where the court is expected to give a decree of prima facie, allowing a bill of indictment to be filed. The parties are discussing logistics with the court due to Christmas recess and other factors Matthew Agius

14:43 Caruana Galizia has finished testifying. The defence has reserved its cross-examination Matthew Agius

14:36 She would use the car herself, he said, but "because she didn't go out much, when the children would visit, they would use it too." Matthew Agius

14:35 Peter Caruana Galizia said that the victim had been using his chequebook due to the garnishee orders imposed by Minister Chris Cardona and Joe Gerada in connection with libel proceedings Matthew Agius

14:33 After the murder, Magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera had summoned Keith Schembri, Chris Cardona and Neville Gafa but did not speak to them, he said Matthew Agius

14:31 Daphne Caruana Galizia had taken to garaging her car in the months preceding her death, said the witness, "however for some reason, for no reason, Matthew had parked it outside that day." Matthew Agius

14:29 Inspector Zahra asked what happened on the day of the murder. “Usually on the weekend I go cycling with a group of friends. When I left my wife was asleep. When I returned my son was there and my wife was awake. She said she was going to go buy newspapers and have a coffee in Naxxar.” They agreed to meet at Palazzo Parisio in Naxxar. “The arrangement was that Matthew takes her Peugeot and she would come with me to Floriana.” She had parked in the Trade Fair Grounds. “When we arrived in Floriana, Matthew called and said he wasn’t feeling well and was going back home. Andrew, my wife and I went to Floriana and then went home. Matthew came for an hour and said that he had slept and gone swimming. On Monday morning I was at work. “I had clients at work and noticed that Matthew had tried to call me. At around 3pm Andrew, who worked in Valletta, walked in as I was talking to a client, white as a sheet. This was not normal, he said. When we arrived, there was a lot of police, fire engines, bomb disposal. A policeman approached “I asked him ‘is she dead, and he said Matthew Agius

14:21 Dr. Peter Caruana Galizia is now on the witness stand. Matthew Agius

14:21 The defence reserved the right to cross-examine the witness until they are given a transcript of what was said in court. Matthew Agius

14:20 All three refused to consult with a lawyer whilst under arrest Matthew Agius

14:19 Alfred Degiorgio refused to answer questions, Vincent Muscat gave his details and refused to answer question, whilst George Degiorgio simply produced his ID card and refused to answer any questions. Matthew Agius

14:18 Vincent Muscat refused to give a DNA sample, unlike the other two accused. Matthew Agius

14:18 A Mercedes and an Audi, belonging to the unemployed Degiorgio brothers were taken to the police impound yard Matthew Agius

14:17 Alfred Degiorgio's boat, Maya, and George Degiorgio's boat, Dugu, were searched in their presence. Matthew Agius

14:15 Alfred and George Degiorgio had been together near the water, whilst Vince Muscat was further inland when they were arrested Matthew Agius

14:14 Zahra is now giving an account of the raid on the Marsa "potato shed" Matthew Agius

14:12 Family members were unable to say where Daphne Caruana Galizia's laptop was, the inspector said. Matthew Agius

14:12 Police said they did not find any laptops at the scene. Matthew Agius

14:11 Peter Caruana Galizia told police that his wife did not follow any particular routine and would work from cafes and wifi hotspots. Matthew Agius

14:11 Several eyewitnesses reported seeing the small explosion, followed by a larger one just before 3pm Matthew Agius

14:10 The vehicle leasing company which owned the rental car had told police that Caruana Galizia had changed her car and was about to lease a vehicle for 5 years. She had been given a temporary car in the interim. There was a board with all spare keys to the rental vehicles in the rental office. CCTV from the office was analysed. The hire company had agreed with Caruana Galizia that they would collect her car before she went abroad and carry out repairs. Police also investigated a panel beater who had been given the spare key, but it emerged that the key had been dropped off at the wrong person. Police had traced the movements of the spare key as it was repaired between the 16 and 23 September. The vehicle was returned to Caruana Galizia on September 25. Matthew Agius

13:58 Police had tried to create a timeline of the deceased's movements. Footage from a number of CCTV cameras in the Burmarrad area were taken. The FBI agents arrived on 19 October and had inspected the scene. On 21 October, the Prime Minister had announced a reward of €1 million for information that could result in a conviction. The police had set up an operations room with a telephone line - 2294 2008 and an email [email protected] - both of which are still active, and a task force to filter information received. Matthew Agius

13:54 Police had spoken to Matthew Caruana Galizia. He said that before the 16th October, he had been using the car which his mother was driving that day. The day before the murder, Sunday, his mother had driven the car to Naxxar for a coffee. He had returned from a swim at Exiles and parked the car outside the gate, the Inspector said. Matthew Agius

13:52 Magistrate Anthony Vella was later appointed inquiring magistrate Matthew Agius

13:52 Magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera went on site. The advice from the NFI was not to touch the crime scene until forensic experts arrived Matthew Agius

13:50 A task force was appointed to contact all vehicle leasing companies on the island and identify the vehicle. Matthew Agius

13:50 Another resident told police that a rental car was spotted loitering in the area for some time before the murder. "Sometimes there would be a person inside it, other times it was empty." Matthew Agius

13:48 Police had spoken to nearby residents. They identified a certain Frans Sant who was still at the scene. He was arriving from Mosta and had seen the car explode. The man told police that there was first a small explosion with a puff of white smoke under the car. The female inside the car was in a state of panic, he said. Moments later, the car was enveloped in a larger explosion and rolled into the field. Matthew Agius

13:46 Matthew Caruana Galizia was involved in an argument with a certain Mario Vella who had been taking photos of the scene. The victim's son had snatched the man's phone and threw it on the ground, after which the men came to blows. No photographs were found on the phone, the Inspector said. Matthew Agius

13:45 He had spoken to the victim's son, Matthew, who told him that he had been working at the time and heard an explosion. He ran outside and saw the blazing car in the field. He recognised the car from its hubcaps Matthew Agius

13:44 He had inquired with the rental company and was told that Caruana Galizia had rented the car in June and had been leasing vehicles since February Matthew Agius

13:43 Inspector Kurt Zahra has taken the witness stand. On the day of the murder, he had gone to the crime scene. The car was still belching smoke at the time he arrived. Police and AFM personnel were already on site. “There were pieces of he vehicle and pieces of flesh strewn about the area” Matthew Agius

13:42 The sitting has resumed Matthew Agius

12:36 The court has adjourned for lunch. This live blog will resume at 13:30hrs Matthew Agius

12:34 The magistrate pointed out that she had not yet given her decision on the matter Matthew Agius

12:33 Alfred Degiorgio announced that he is going on hunger strike "as of today" Matthew Agius

12:33 The accused are now animated, talking to their lawyers, gesticulating and changing their sitting positions Matthew Agius

12:29 The conditions in which the men are being held are "well within the parameters" of human rights. "The fact that they are in a single room is almost a privilege." Matthew Agius

12:28 Deputy AG Philip Farrugia reminded the court that the men are prohibited from being allowed to communicate with each other Matthew Agius

12:27 Lawyer Josette Sultana argued that they are not to be treated differently from other inmates and that they are presumed innocent. Matthew Agius

12:26 Lawyer William Cuschieri is saying that the witness had no indication of threats against the accused, nor is there a risk of self-harm Matthew Agius

12:26 The press has been allowed back into the court Matthew Agius

11:57 The court upheld the request, however, to allow the witness to testify with greater peace of mind. Matthew Agius

11:57 Lawyer Josette Sultana added that the men's treatment amounted to inhuman and degrading treatment Matthew Agius

11:56 Lawyer William Cuschieri rebutted, arguing that there was no basis for this request. If anything the fact that the men are being held in conditions which breach their human rights was a matter of public interest, he said. Matthew Agius

11:54 The public interest argument is about the location the men are being held in Matthew Agius

11:53 Deputy AG Philip Galea Farrugia is asking for the next witness, the assistant director of prisons, to be heard behind closed doors. Matthew Agius

11:51 The men remain completely expressionless in the dock Matthew Agius

11:50 Also after the detonation, Degiorgio sent a message to his partner, which reads "buy me wine, my love." Matthew Agius

11:49 "George made more than one call from the boat and on the day before he had been telling people that he was going fishing. After the incident he was heard boasting "I've caught two big fish today" Matthew Agius

11:47 As this happened after the arraignment, the police were unable to question Degiorgio about it Matthew Agius

11:46 5 days after the arraignment, he had been informed by the serologist that the cigarette butt found at tat-Targa Battery matched Alfred Degiorgio's DNA Matthew Agius

11:39 All three were asked "why did you kill Daphne Caruana Galizia" but none of them replied Matthew Agius

11:39 "We had confronted the accsued with all the information we have, and confronted George Degiorgio with the intercepts but none of them spoke" Matthew Agius

11:38 George Degiorgio had refused to give his particulars, instead placing his ID card on the table for his investigators to see Matthew Agius

11:38 After their arrest, none of the three accused answered any questions and refused to have a lawyer present. Their interrogations were filmed. DVDs of the interrogations were presented to the court this morning. Matthew Agius

11:36 Police had spoken to a number of persons who frequented the Menqa area and who knew the accused. They confirmed the phone number of George Degiorgio and had topped up his mobile phone. Matthew Agius

11:33 From the police inspector's detailed testimony a picture of an incredibly thorough and meticulously planned police investigation and raid emerges Matthew Agius

11:27 “I noted that George had a number written in pen on his hand, which he said belonged to his partner.” The TV was blaring at the time of the raid he said. There was as locked room inside the structure. Police had been accompanied by IT forensic experts from Europol. AFM divers conducted a thorough search of the seabed under the boat and found three mobile phones which were important to the investigation. All Nokia 105s. Vincent Muscat’s mobile was amongst the devices found. Matthew Agius

11:22 At Menqa in Marsa, Police found a brick structure with an ensuite toilet. The three accused had been there, he said. Very close to where Vincent Muscat was found, a blue Nokia 105 mobile phone was found. It was partially dismantled, SIM card and battery removed. “We confirmed that this was the phone that Alfred Degiorgio would use… from the IMEI number that paired with his SIM card.” Matthew Agius

11:18 Arnaud is now speaking about the planning of the raid in which the men were arrested. Police had to be careful not to destroy any potential evidence in the raids on their residences, which occurred at the same time as the raid on the potato shed Matthew Agius

11:15 Vincent Muscat’s mobile data told a similar story the Inspector said. “The number from which the fatal SMS was sent ... It’s activity is identical to George Degiorgio’s personal mobile.” The FBI had separately concluded that his personal mobile and the number from which the trigger message was sent had been in the same areas throughout the day. Matthew Agius

11:11 One number was spent much more time in Bidnija than the others, said Arnaud, “This means the person was observing the victim for several weeks.” Matthew Agius

11:08 “On 9 October, the three numbers were together in Bidnija. But it appears that on that date the personal mobiles of the accused gave no signal whilst they were together. Another date was 13 October, when we see that the three phones were in the same area of St. Paul’s Bay. On the day of the murder, they were all in Bidnija. George’s personal number did not mark itself at Bidnija, but those of Vincent and Alfred were. ..there were times in the evening when the three mobiles were in the Bidnija area but this contact then stopped.” This happened 20 minutes after the explosion, he said. Matthew Agius

11:05 "If you put the numbers of the accused with those used in the assassination, you will notice that they are always in the same area… If one moves to another tower, the other mobile will move too. You could say that every movement of one mobile is mirrored in the other." Matthew Agius

11:01 More maps. This time of St. Paul's Bay, Siggiewi and Zebbug. These indicate the location of cell towers mentioned in the report. Matthew Agius

10:58 The trigger man’s number was later picked up by the data tower at Marsa in the area of the potato shed where the three suspects were arrested. This was matched with CCTV footage of the boat, Maya, as it arrived Matthew Agius

10:55 Two interesting calls took place between two of the numbers when one was in Bidnija and the other was at sea. One belongs to the spotter, who had spent a whole night in position. He made a 44 second call to the seaborned number and another 107-second long call. Adding the durations together, police arrived at the exact time of the explosion, also noting that the explosion was heard live by the person at sea. “It is a drive of 107 seconds from the gate of the victim to the crater.” After the explosion, contact between the numbers stopped. Matthew Agius

10:49 George Degiorgio topped up his personal mobile phone number. The police had looked into this number’s records and noted that it had always contacted the same two numbers in the same sequence. This mobile phone would often be in the St. Paul’s Bay area, he said. But it was also in the same areas on 16 October, where the other mobile phone was . It was also in the YMCA area when the trigger command was sent. At 1:41am, when the other device was switched on in Bidnija, the number was next to it and had received a call. Matthew Agius

10:43 The inspector exhibited documents that list the devices attached to the SIM cards. One number, 99684366 had previously been used by a third party but had later been disconnected and re-released into circulation. Matthew Agius

10:35 Inspector Arnaud explained that the number used by the detonator had been stationary in Bidnija for over 12 hours after it was switched on at 2:41am. At 2:59pm it received the message triggering the explosion. Matthew Agius

10:32 The accused are sitting rigidly in the dock, gaze fixed ahead, barely moving Matthew Agius

10:30 Inspector Arnaud is explaining how the call profiles he exhibited list the data they contain. Matthew Agius

10:27 The defence is hardly interrupting the witness at all, but the atmosphere in the courtroom is unmistakably tense Matthew Agius

10:24 More documents. Photographs of the Vodafone cell towers, showing their location to help understand the localisation data that will be presented later on. Matthew Agius

10:21 The victim’s mobile phone was recovered from the scene. It was burnt but was being examined by forensic experts. Matthew Agius

10:20 Another set of 13 photos taken by forensic experts, taken on 13 December from the area where the cigarette butt was found, were exhibited. These included a zoomed close up of the Caruana Galizia residence taken from the area. Matthew Agius

10:16 He also exhibited a number of photographs he had taken with his personal phone at the Tat-Targa Battery area. They show part of the collapsed rubble wall where a cigarette butt had been found and photographs of the Caruana Galizia residence Matthew Agius

10:14 Inspector Keith Arnaud resumed his testimony from yesterday, exhibiting a number of maps showing the landmarks in the case. Matthew Agius

10:13 Good morning. The court case against three men accused of murdering Daphne Caruana Galizia continues this morning. Kurt Sansone