Prison nurse tells court inmate sought fertility treatment while serving sentence

A prison nurse has told a court that inmate Erin Tanti had repeatedly spoken about his desire to start a family and had requested assistance to undergo fertility treatment while serving his sentence.

The nurse was testifying in front of Magistrate Leonard Caruana during compilation proceedings involving Tanti, his partner Marisa Gallo and medical doctor Josie Muscat.

Tanti is serving a 20-year prison term for the murder of Lisa Maria Zahra in 2014. At the time, Tanti was a teacher and Zahra was his student.

Maria Dolores Spiteri, a nurse who worked alongside psychiatrist Maria Axiak, recounted how Tanti raised the issue during a follow-up appointment held at the prison clinic in 2024. According to her, Tanti explained that both he and his partner wanted to have a child and that he felt increasingly concerned about time because he was approaching his 40 birthday.

The witness said Tanti asked whether arrangements could be made for him to attend a fertility clinic and pursue artificial insemination. He reportedly told medical staff that prison authorities were already aware of the request and that his partner had sent dozens of emails concerning the matter. He also mentioned that he had discussed the issue with prison official Steve Libreri.

Spiteri explained that when prison doctor Chris Cremona later arrived at the clinic, psychiatrist Maria Axiak asked whether assistance could be provided regarding the couple’s request. According to the nurse, Tanti subsequently informed medical staff that he was looking into clinics and at one stage mentioned visiting St James Hospital.

The court heard that discussions later took place between Cremona and St James Hospital regarding the logistics of the procedure. Spiteri testified that she became aware of the arrangements after being informed that Tanti would attend the prison clinic on specific dates to provide samples that would then be sent to the hospital.

She also stated that she had no personal relationship with Marisa Gallo but had exchanged WhatsApp messages with her after Gallo obtained her contact details through third parties. According to the witness, Gallo once suggested meeting her and offering her biscuits as a gesture of appreciation, although she insisted she was simply carrying out instructions given by her superiors.

Spiteri further testified that Gallo told her that Josie Muscat was conducting tests and monitoring dates that would be suitable for the fertility procedure. She said Gallo also requested Cremona’s contact number, but the request was declined.

Describing the collection of the first sample, the nurse explained that she provided Tanti with the necessary container and packaging. After the sample was produced, she sealed it and arranged for it to be delivered to a courier waiting outside the prison complex. She stressed that the contents of the package were treated as confidential medical information and that only a small number of people were aware of the process.

The court also heard that a second sample was later collected during a weekend. Spiteri said she intervened after another nurse appeared unaware of the purpose of the procedure and took responsibility for ensuring the arrangements were completed correctly.

According to her testimony, she was later informed by Gallo via WhatsApp that the fertility treatment had been successful and that a pregnancy had been confirmed. Spiteri said she received ultrasound images and a video showing the baby's heartbeat, adding that she congratulated Gallo and wished her well.

The prosecution is being led by Inspectors Lydon Zammit and Stephen Gulia. Lawyers Jason Azzopardi, Nicolai Bugeja and Joseph Bugeja are appearing for Josie Muscat, while lawyers Franco Debono and Matthew Xuereb are representing Tanti and Gallo.