Police searched through 88 tonnes of soil in search for Imniehru’s bones

Forensic officials and scene of the crime officers sifted through 88 tonnes of soil in a bid to locate the bones of murdered convicted drug trafficker Mario Camilleri, ‘l-Imniehru’, and his 21-year-old son, Mario Jnr.

The revelation was made today during the testimony of scene of the crime officer Raymond Cassar who was summoned to testify against half-brothers Jason Galea and George Galea.

George Galea, 41, of St Julian's, and Mario Camilleri's brother-in-law Jason Galea, 39 of Birzebbugia, are pleading not guilty to the double murder of 51-year-old Mario Camilleri, and his 21-year-old son.

Jason Galea is also pleading not guilty to the murder of Valletta taxi-driver Matthew Zahra whose bones were allegedly unearthed during the search for the bodies of the Camilleris.

The bodies of l-Imniehru and his son were found partially buried under a pile of cow manure in a field in tal-Qajjenza, limits of Birzebbugia in August 2013. During the search, police officials had also unearthed a bag of bones purportedly belonging to Valletta taxi-driver Matthew Zahra.

Taking the witness stand, Inspector Raymond Cassar from the Forensic department explained that investigators had divided the field, and then proceeded to sifting through the soil to check for bones.

“Ballistic experts, scene of the crimes sifted through 88 tonnes of soil in search of the bones. The search started from the place where the bodies of l-Imniehru and his son were partially buried to a room in the field which was allegedly used to burn things,” he said.

Lawyer Joe Brincat, appearing in parte civile for the victim’s wife, Mona, requested that the court releases her husband’s body for burial, arguing that the delay is causing his client considerable grief and psychological turmoil.

Inspector James Grech told the court that after Mario Camilleri Snr’s funeral and subsequent burial, a dispute arose between pathologists and investigators as to what caused his death. Investigators had alleged that the 51-year-old died due to a gunshot to his head, while pathologists had argued that he might have died as a result of a heart attack.

Faced with these different murders – which if disputed correctly by the pathologists may influence any punishment – Magistrate Edwina Grima had ordered that the corpse be removed for more forensic tests.

“After an autopsy was carried out and after Mario Camilleri’s burial, a magisterial inquiry had ordered police to dig out Mario Camilleri’s body from the Addolorata cemetery for further examinations,” Inspector Grech said.

Taking the witness stand, ballistics experts and former brigadier Maurice Calleja told the court that Mario Camilleri Jnr suffered two shots to the head, and one in his chest. He was also stabbed repeatedly – believed to be around 34 times in total.

“Four shots were fired from a 0.25 calibre semi automatic gun. Two of these shots hit his head, while other shots hit Camilleri’s chest.”

“Several other cartridges and bullet heads which were fired from the same gun were also formed at the field. Further bullets were found in a garbage bag, and another one near the field,” Calleja said.

In his testimony, Calleja also underlined that the bullets were all fired from the same gun, and that another found nearby had no part in the shooting of the victims.

Lawyer Gianella de Marco is representing Jason Galea, while lawyer Joe Giglio is appearing for George Galea. Lawyer Joe Brincat is appearing in parte civile for Mario Camilleri’s wife.