Surgeon tells court how Erin Tanti suffered ‘superficial injuries’ and was in a stable condition

Drama teacher Erin Tanti was in a stable condition and spent three days at the ITU suffering from “superficial injuries,” despite having fractures to his ribs and lumbar vertebrae, a Mater Dei doctor told a court today.

Angela Sultana, a consultant general surgeon at Mater Dei Hospital, explained that on 19 March, Erin Tanti – who had earlier jumped off Dingli Cliffs together with victim Lisa Marie Zahra – was admitted to the Intensive Therapy Unit (ITU).

She explained that despite being admitted to the ITU, Tanti was in a stable condition and his injuries were “superficial” and they healed on their own.

Sultana was summoned to testify during the compilation of evidence against 23-year-old Erin Tanti, who is being charged with murdering and assisting in the suicide of 15-year-old pupil Lisa Marie Zahra.

Grilled by Inspector Keith Arnaud, Sultana explained that on 20 March, a day after Tanti was admitted to hospital, she examined him. Medical tests revealed that Tanti was suffering from severe bruising on his back and stomach, fractured ribs and lumbar vertebrae and he was being administered antibiotics.

However, despite the extent of the injuries, the consultant general surgeon classified them as being “superficial,” as fractured ribs heal on their own and he required no surgical intervention.

Moreover, the doctor said that Tanti was “fully conscious, alert, and in a stable condition.”

Sultana also said that on 22 March, three days after the incident occurred, Tanti was transferred out of the ITU to the general ward. On 25 March, Tanti was then transferred to Mount Carmel Hospital after he was complaining of "visual hallucinations."

Moreover, the doctor explained that abdominal injuries were "superficial" because they healed on their own, and that were it not for the visual hallucinations, Tanti could have been sent home. 

Cross-examined by defence lawyer Michael Sciriha, the doctor nevertheless argued that Tanti was admitted to the ITU as "only those suffering from critical injuries are admitted to the emergency unit.”

She pointed out, however, that it was not up to her whether to admit Tanti to the emergency unit but it was a decision reached by other doctors.

“A patient is admitted to the ITU on the basis of the mechanism of his or her injuries. It is not the first time, however, that patients are admitted to the ITU suffering from minor injuries,” she said.

Earlier, Lisa Marie Zahra’s babysitter, Lucy Giordimaina – who is also the mother of Tony Zahra’s partner - explained that on 19 March she went to the Zahra home in San Pawl tat-Targa to monitor the 15-year-old because Lisa's brother, Nicholas Zahra, had told her the night before a man had slept at the house.

Saying that she considered herself to be close with Lisa Marie Zahra, Giordimaina said that the teenager never sought to disclose any problems she might have been experiencing, saying that Lisa “was well taken care of.”

On the night between 18 and 19 March, Tanti picked up Zahra from her house. They then switched off their mobile phones before driving to Dingli Cliffs. The two are believed to have drunk half a bottle of whisky and swallowing aspirin, before proceeding to jump.

The two were then discovered on a ledge beneath Dingli Cliffs.

15-year-old Zahra – identified as the daughter of businessman Anthony Zahra – died in the fall after suffering head fractures and multiple joint fractures. Tanti is said to have proceeded to jump after Zahra, but was said to have woken up later “in great pain”, and then attempted to crawl back up.

Tanti was subsequently charged with murder, defilement of a minor, corruption of a minor, abuse of a position of trust, misuse of technology, and possession of indecent material involving minors. He is pleading not guilty to the charges.

Police Inspector Keith Arnaud led the prosecution. Lawyers Michael and Lucio Sciriha are appearing for Erin Tanti while Lawyers Joe Giglio and Stephen Tonna Lowell appeared in parte civile for the Zahra family.

The case continues on 30 January.