Five gunshots found on Christian Pandolfino's body, one found on Ivor Macieowski's, jury hears

The fifth day of the trial concerning the 2020 double murder of Christian Pandolfino and Ivor Maciejowski continued on Friday before Madam Justice Natasha Galea Sciberras in Hall 22, with a string of witnesses detailing surveillance evidence, vehicle rentals, and movements of the accused in the days following the killings.

One of the accused, Daniel Muka, once again refused to enter the courtroom, prompting the judge to have him follow proceedings from a separate chamber via video link, as has been the practice since the trial began.

On Friday, Patrick Farrugia, a forensic expert from the police’s ballistics unit, who gave a chilling reconstruction of the crime scene.

Farrugia described arriving at the Locker Street residence, where Christian Pandolfino was found lying sideways in a large pool of blood, with visible impact marks on the door jamb—evidence of gunfire exchange at close range. He presented detailed photographic documentation of these bullet impact sites in court.

Ivor Maciejowski was found lying on his back, with a gunshot wound between his eyes, and another at the back of his head, which was later discovered during autopsy. The autopsy confirmed that Pandolfino was shot five times, while Maciejowski was shot once.

Farrugia further clarified that two firearms were recovered, but these turned out to be prop guns and not live firearms. However, the ballistic expert proceeded to give a live demonstration in court, showing how the actual pistol used in the murder projected the bullets, providing a step-by-step forensic breakdown of how the murders were committed.

Another witness, Saviour Baldacchino from the Criminal Investigation Department, told the court that on the night of his arrest, Viktor Dragomanski said, “Put me in the cell with him, I will kill him,” referring to Muka. However, Baldacchino clarified that Viktor was not violent after that comment.

Under cross-examination, Baldacchio confirmed that Viktor did not resist arrest and, to his knowledge, cooperated with police.

Now an inspector, Keith Rizzo recounted his role in the investigation. Back in 2020, he was a police sergeant when he and Baldacchino were shown images of a white Volkswagen suspected of being involved in the murders. Upon locating the vehicle at the St Luke’s car park, they discovered that the number plates were stolen, confirming suspicions that the vehicle had been used to flee the crime scene.

He was followed by Charlo Saliba, who said that in August 2020, he worked in Transport Malta’s call centre. Saliba confirmed that he had received a police request, made by Inspector James Grech, to trace the movements of a vehicle with the number plate JED082. He explained that when this number was input into their system, it showed that the vehicle had passed through various locations.

Next to take the stand was Daniel Vella, a mechanic and owner of a small car rental business, Daniel Car Rentals. Vella testified that he had rented a white Peugeot 108 to Daniel Muka on 12 May 2020, initially for five days. Muka later extended the lease for another month, which he paid for, and this kept going for up to three months.

During that time, Muka was involved in a car accident in San Ġwann, which was deemed to be his fault. After filing a claim, Vella provided him with a replacement vehicle. Only two days later, the car was towed in Floriana after being parked on a double yellow line. Vella testified that Muka promptly paid the fine, but failed to return to the garage as agreed.

After news of the murder broke, Vella said he never saw Muka again. Police later came to collect belongings that had been left in the car.

In a detailed testimony, Inspector Josef Gerada outlined key developments in the investigation. He stated that on 21 August 2020, three days after the murders, police located the alleged getaway car near St Luke’s Hospital in Pietà.

Through CCTV footage, the suspects were tracked walking on foot in the vicinity of the Junior College bus stop. Additional footage caught them entering a shop, where Viktor reportedly asked for the WiFi password. CCTV from the same shop showed the suspects boarding a Bolt vehicle, which was booked under the name of the second accused, Viktor Dragomanski.

Gerada explained that a search at Muka’s residence yielded several items, including a necklace, two laptops, and four mobile phones. Based on further information obtained from Muka following his arrest, police were able to locate the Peugeot 107 he had last rented. It was found parked near the Westin Dragonara hotel.