Update 2 | Four charged with involuntary homicide of Miriam Pace

Updated at 2:54pm with Malta Developers Association statement

Four people have pleaded not guilty to the involuntary homicide of Miriam Pace, who died after her house collapsed. 

The four - all of whom were on police bail but were re-arrested this morning - include the architect and the contractor.

54-year-old Pace was buried under the rubble of her home after it collapsed in Triq Joseph Abela Scolaro, on 2 March in Hamrun.

Pace’s house was right next door to a building site which was being excavated at the time. Her body was found hours after the collapse by the Civil Protection Department.

Carmel Pace (centre), the widower of victim Miriam Pace exiting court with his lawyers Joe Giglio and David Bonello, after hearing the charges filed against four-men accused of causing the death of his wife

The four accused - 36 year-old architect Roderick Camilleri of Rabat, Site Technical Officer, 72, Perit Anthony Mangion of Gzira, 37 year-old contractor Ludwig Dimech from Zebbug and a 42 year-old workman, Nicholas Spiteri from Mqabba - appeared before Magistrate Natasha Galea Sciberras charged with negligently causing Pace’s death. This charge carries a maximum punishment of four years in jail.

Camilleri, Mangion and Dimech are also charged with making a false declaration to the authorities. Perit Mangion was accused of being absent from a site where dangerous works were being carried out. The prosecution asked that the accused’s warrants be revoked.

The four are also facing other lesser charges, that primarily carry fines. Dimech alone is also accused of recidivism.  

The original inquiry into the accident was held by Magistrate Claire Stafrace Zammit.

READ MORE: Miriam Pace found dead beneath rubble after Santa Venera house collapse

Prosecuting Inspectors Robert Vella and Matthew Galea told the court how the accused had been among several people arrested after the collapse. Police bail had been granted until the magisterial inquiry into the incident had concluded. Police had pressed charges after collecting evidence.

The accused had been given police bail “5 or 6 times” he said and had not given any trouble whilst on police bail.

The court ordered the charges to be read out. 

All four accused men pleaded not guilty to the charges. Bail was requested. Inspector Vella said that while it was true that the men had cooperated with the police whilst on police bail, conditions must reflect the nature of the case.

“One must understand the present situation we are living in and that some of the accused are vulnerable and this must be taken into account. But although the prosecution is not objecting to bail, we must bear in mind that we have a person who lost her life and the serious charges at hand. Today’s catchphrase is 'stay home, stay safe'," said the inspector, pointing out the irony of the fact that the victim was killed in her own home.

The evidence was preserved, argued the lawyers.

The court granted the men bail, noting that two of the accused were already prohibited from leaving home during the COVID-19 pandemic for medical reasons.

Camilleri and Mangion were granted bail against a deposit of €1,500 and a personal guarantee of €7,500. Dimech was released against a deposit of €1,500 and personal guarantee of €8,500 in view of his criminal record. Spiteri was granted bail against a deposit of €1,000 and a personal guarantee of €9,000.

Lawyers Alfred Abela, Arthur Azzopardi and Rene Darmanin are defence counsel to Architects Roderick Camilleri and Anthony Mangion.

Lawyers Michael Sciriha, Roberto Montalto and Franco Galea defended Ludwig Dimech

Lawyers Franco Debono and Marion Camilleri appeared for Nicholas Spiteri.

Lawyers Joe Giglio, David Bonello and Stefano Filletti are appearing parte civile for the Pace family and owners of adjacent properties.

MDA welcomes court action

The Malta Developers Association welcomed the court action and commended the speedy process that led to the arraignments.

"Without entering into the merits of this specific case or the responsibility of those arraigned, as that is the court’s remit which should be completely respected, the MDA hopes that full justice is served in the shortest possible time," Marthese Portelli, MDA director general said.

The MDA said that the various amendments in the law made last summer, following similar accidents, the competent authorities and the courts now had "sound, precise and established parameters" to determine responsibility in such accidents.