Ta’ Giorni murder | Mother’s throat ‘slit from ear to ear’, witness tells court

A police inspector has told a court that murdered mother of eight, Caroline Magri, had her throat slit “from ear to ear”.

Inspector Matthew Spagnol took to the witness stand this afternoon, as the compilation of evidence against Djibril Ganiou, 33 from Togo, continued. Ganiou stands charged with the homicide of Magri, his 41-year-old partner, in early October this year.

Spagnol told magistrate Claire Stafrace Zammit that on 30 September, he was summoned to the crime scene, where he said that from the balcony, which was at street level, “a woman could be seen on the bed with her throat slit from ear to ear.

He said Magri was known to the police, due to reports she had filed and other previous cases. He added that one of the victim’s daughters pinpointed Ganiou, saying that she was “sure it’s him” referring to the accused. Police arrested Ganiou after putting in place a fixed point guard outside his Sliema residence, indicated by one of the victim’s children.

Back on 20 September 2015, Ganiou had been arrested after Magri had filed a report, claiming that he had slightly injured her, but had escaped from police custody. He was recaptured and arraigned in court the next day. The victim later dropped her charges and Ganiou was released on bail against a €200 deposit and €2,000 personal guarantee for other charges of resisting arrest.

Lead prosecutor police inspector Keith Arnaud exhibited three DVDs of the accused’s interrogation, together with some accounts by the victim herself. He said Ganiou had been mentioned in connection with several incidents, one in February 2015, two in September 2015 and one in August 2016 after a fight between the accused and the victim and two African men. His bail book, relating to the fight, was also presented to the court.

Ganiou appeared in court unassisted this afternoon, the court being told that lawyer Giannella De Marco had renounced her brief due to non-payment.

Speaking through a translator, Ganiou claimed to be unaware of this development, but indicated that he would have funds transferred from Togo if this was the case. The court made it clear that it was entitled to carry on hearing evidence in the absence of his lawyer and, indeed, of the accused himself.

He accepted the court’s offer to appoint a lawyer from the legal aid pool until he ironed out his legal representation problem. Lawyer Joseph Ellis was appointed legal aid.

The compilation of evidence against Ganiou will continue in January.