Murdered taxi driver's relatives request victim's remains for burial

The family of murdered taxi driver Matthew Zahra, this morning requested the court to order the release of Zahra’s remains for burial. Appearing for the family, lawyer Stefano Filletti signed the family’s request. Defence lawyers Joe Giglio and Franco Debono informed the court they had no objection for the release of Zahra’s remains.

Jason Galea, 39 of Birzebbugia and Richard Urry, 49 of Paola stand charged with the murder of Matthew Zahra in August 2012. Giglio and Debono are defence counsel for Galea and Urry respectively.

In July 2013, police unearthed Zahra’s remains while investigating the killing of Mario Camilleri ‘l-Imniehru’ and his son Mario Jnr. The bodies of the three victims were found buried in a field at Qajjenza, Birzebbugia.

In today’s sitting, once again Giglio called on the court to grant bail to Jason Galea. "While noting the seriousness of the offence, there is no justified reason why Galea remains under preventive arrest. Until the day of judgment, the accused is still presumed innocent.Furthermore he has strong family ties which keep him from absconding", the lawyer said.

But prosecuting officer Fabian Fleuri argued that Galea's strong family ties did not keep him from killing his own family members.

The defence held that as both the prosecution and the court know, there were specific circumstances which led to the murders Galea is charged with.

Lawyer Franco Debono requested that the accused Richard Urry is allowed to visit his mother who is sick. Magistrate Edwina Grima upheld the request and allowed Urry to visit his mother Evelyn on Thursday. Urry is to be under police escort during the whole visit.

When asked for the address of his mother's residence, Urry said she lives in Triq ix-Xemxija, Marsa. This is the same street where a man was shot dead this morning.

In separate proceedings, Jason Galea stands charged with the murder of Mario Camilleri and his son.

Commenting to MaltaToday after the sitting, an emotional Mona Camilleri, wife and mother of the victims, said the court would not be reasonable if the accused is granted bail simply because six months have passed from the start of the case.

“It won’t be fair that the man who killed my family is out on bail, yet my husband and son haven’t even been buried”.