Teacher faces murder charge, Zahra family: ‘charges clear and unequivocal’

The family of Lisa Maria Zahra released a statement in the aftermath of the murder charge filed against the 23-year-old supply teacher Erin Tanti, in which they said the 15-year-old was “looking forward to her future and the life ahead of her.”

Tanti today was also accused of the assisted suicide of Lisa Maria Zahra, and defiling her when she was in his care as a teacher, participating in sexual acts with her when she was a vulnerable person, and abusing his position of trust as a teacher.

Accompanied by both his parents in the courtroom, Tanti pleaded not guilty.

“She was excited about finishing her exams and enjoying the summer ahead. She was busy planning what subjects to study in Sixth Form, and excited about her progress in the arts. She had everything to live for and we would like to remember her for all her wonderful traits,” Winston Zahra jnr, the nephew of Zahra’s father Anthony, said in a press conference.

In the printed statement he read out, and distributed to the press, Zahra said the charges against Tanti were “clear and unequivocal”.

“He has been charged with the voluntary homicide of Lisa Maria apart from a number of other charges. I will not elaborate on the charges of any of the evidence, as the place for this to happen is in the courts and the family will not comment in any way, either now, or while the process runs its course.

“Despite the enormous pain cause by the loss of Lisa Maria, we will patiently wait for the justice system to work in the months ahead.”

Zahra said Lisa Maria was a “bright, intelligent and talented younger girl… shy but confident. She always spoke her mind but did so respectfully.”

He said the teenager was “occasionally rebellious”, anxious about her exams, but also vulnerable.

Arraignment

Tanti’s defence counsel, Michael Sciriha, requested the court to have his client kept under medical attention at the Mount Carmel Hospital’s forensic unit.

Earlier on, he told the court that Tanti had requested assistance from the Appogg Agency for both him and Zahra several times before, but his requests had gone unheeded. Sciriha asked that his psychiatrist, Dr Antonello Gauci, be appointed as a court medical expert.

The court said that considering that a medical certificate had been issued giving the accused a clean bill of health, it would be the Director of Prisons to ensure his medical treatment continues.

Tanti was able to walk inside the courtroom. He had been admitted to Mater Dei’s Intensive Therapy Unit and was said to be in a critical condition after being retrieved from beneath the Ta’ Zuta point at Dingli cliffs, on Wednesday 19 March, by Civil Protection Department personnel.

Lawyers Joe Giglio, Giannella de Marco, Steve Tonna Lowell and Reuben Farrugia are appearing in parte civile for the Zahra family. Lawyers Michael and Lucio Sciriha are appearing for Erin Tanti.

LIVE BLOG

13:00 Tanti has left the courtroom escorted by police officers and accompanied by his parents. Chris Mangion

12:59 The court has also asked the prosecution to summon the medical experts and pathologists to take the witness stand at the earliest time possible. Chris Mangion

12:58 Magistrate Doreen Clarke has denied the defence's request, considering the clean bill of health. Instead she has asked the Director of Prisons to allow the accused to seek medical treatment by doctors of his choice. Chris Mangion

12:51 Zahra lawyer - Gianella de Marco, appearing in parte civile - says there is no need for the appointment of a psychiatrist without a specific reason. Defence lawyer Michael Sciriha says the accused has a right to his medical treatment. "We are not raising an exception, but requesting the continuation of the treatment and protecting the accused's right to have a doctor of his choice." Chris Mangion

12:49 Tanti was released from mental care on a certificate stating that he was fit for interrogation. Chris Mangion

12:49 The prosecution says that the court cannot uphold tyhe request to nominate psychitarist Antonello Grech, as the doctor is already involved in the accused's treatment. Chris Mangion

12:48 The defence says Tanti had requested the help of Appogg various times, both for himself and Zahra and that his requests "went unheeded". Chris Mangion

12:44 The defence is requesting that Tanti is held at the Forensic Unit at Mount Carmel Hospital, to protect his rights. Sciriha says he was only given charge sheet by the police five minutes before the start of the case, and that he did not have time to speak to the accused. "We are bereft of any detail concerning the case." Chris Mangion

12:42 Court medical experts and pathologists involved in the criminal inquiry take witness stand to present toxicology report. Chris Mangion

12:41 Defence lawyer Michael Sciriha has not requested bail but asked the court to appoint psychiatrist Dr Antonello Grech to continue treating Erin Tanti. Chris Mangion

12:39 Deputy registrar is now carrying out an identity test of the accused - Tanti says he is a teacher and has pleaded not guilty to the charges. Chris Mangion

12:38 Magistrate Doreen Clarke has upheld the validity of Tanti's arraignment under arrest. Chris Mangion

12:37 Police had requested a warrant of arrest to question Tanti outside hospital and he was subsequently interrogated at the police headquarters. Chris Mangion

12:36 The police says that Tanti was arrested on 19 March on suspicion of Zahra's murder, and then transferred for care at Mater Dei and later Mount Carmel hospital. Chris Mangion

12:34 While some nine members of the Zahra family are present, Tanti's family are sitting next to him. Chris Mangion

12:32 Inspector Keith Arnaud taking the witness stand to read out the charges. Chris Mangion

12:32 Tanti is being charged with six accusations: of causing Zahra's death; assisting in her suicide; corruption of a minor; defilement of a minor; abuse of his position of trust, misuse of technology, possession of indecent material involving minors. Chris Mangion

12:28 Charges presented: they included murder. Chris Mangion

12:22 If Tanti is charged over assisted suicide - although is this unconfirmed so far - this could mean a prison sentence of not more than 12 years. Chris Mangion

12:20 There has been on confirmation yet on the charges Tanti faces: a police inspector who is unrelated to the case has suggested that these will include assisted suicide and defilement of the minor. Chris Mangion

12:06 Proceedings have not yet started in Hall 10. Chris Mangion

11:55 The magistrate and the prosecution are still not in the hall. Chris Mangion

11:50 The hotelier Winston Zahra, a relative of Zahra's father Anthony Zahra, the entrepreneur, will be addressing the press after the arraignment. Matthew Vella

11:34 Lawyers Michael and Lucio Sciriha appearing as defence counsels. Matthew Vella

11:33 Lawyers Joe Giglio, Gianell de Marco, Stephen Lowell and Reuben Farrugia are representing the Zahra family in parte civile Matthew Vella

11:33 The court inquiry is about to start: Magistrate Doreen Clarke will preside, and two relatives in mourning stand behind the accused, who is not yet in the hall. Matthew Vella

Supply teacher Erin Tanti, 23, was released from Mater Dei’s ITU after having injured himself in a fall from Dingli cliffs, where Zahra also died.

Tanti, formerly a theatre studies undergraduate at the University of Malta, was not in possession of a teacher’s warrant when he was enrolled as a supply drama teacher at St Michael Foundation, the school where Zahra was a student at.

The first missing person’s report was filed at the police station at Valletta, by Tanti’s sister. Tanti was at the time acting in the play Festen, adapted to the stage by the Masquerade theatre company.

Police have also established which pharmacy in Valletta Tanti is believed to have purchased a substantial amount of aspirin tablets.

A substantial quantity of cash – over €2,500 was also found in the car – as well as three BOV and HSBC cheques made out to Tanti’s name from three separate companies, including St Michael Foundation.

Police found a bottle of whisky in Tanti’s car that suggests the two drank and took aspirin before the tragic incident.