Agius brothers and associates to be indicted over Caruana Galizia and Chircop murders after magistrate finds enough evidence

The court rules that there is enough prima facie evidence to indict Adrian Agius, his brother Robert Agius, Jamie Vella and George Degiorgio over their involvement in the murders of Carmel Chircop and Daphne Caruana Galizia

23 March 2021, 8:52am
by Matthew Agius

3 min read

From left: Adrian and Robert Agius being led out of court after their arraignment (Photo: James Bianchi/MaltaToday)

Murder suspect Adrian Agius wanted Carmel Chircop dead because the lawyer was chasing him to pay up a substantial debt, the court has heard.

Agius owed Chircop hundreds of thousands and was concerned about his villa at Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq, convicted murderer Vince Muscat testified this morning.

This was why Agius had approached George Degiorgio for a hit job to get rid of the lawyer, Muscat said.

Chircop was eventually shot dead in a garage complex in Birkirkara in October 2015.

Adrian Agius, his brother Robert, Jamie Vella and George Degiorgio are charged with the murder and Muscat was granted a presidential pardon to tell all. The four men are also charged in relation to Daphne Caruana Galizia’s murder.

At the end of today’s sitting, Magistrate Caroline Farrugia Frendo ruled there was enough prima facie evidence to indict the accused.

In court today, Muscat gave a blow by blow account of how Chircop was gunned down in the morning as he opened his garage.

The assassins arrived at dawn and parked in a dark spot inside the garage complex.

“We knew he'd soon be there and Vella kept watch… Our car was always running, never off. As Chircop appeared… Jamie opened the window... The lawyer was alone. He went up the ramp, opened the garage door. As soon as the key lock popped we drove up to him and fired between four and five shots,” Muscat recounted.

Vella was the one who used the weapon – a pistol that would not discard empty shells.

Muscat testified how he had received €5,000 before the murder, another €10,000 from George Degiorgio a couple of days after the assassination and €5,000 from Robert Agius some 10 days later.

Muscat, who has been sentenced to 15 in prison for his involvement in the Daphne Caruana Galizia murder, is testifying in the compilation of evidence against brothers Adrian and Robert Agius, known as Tal-Maksar, Jamie Vella and George Degiorgio.

Muscat was given a presidential pardon to tell all on the Chircop murder.

Robert Agius and Jamie Vella are charged with supplying the bomb that killed Daphne Caruana Galizia in October 2017.

Adrian Agius is charged with commissioning the murder of lawyer Carmel Chircop in 2015. Vella and George Degiorgio are charged with executing Chircop’s assassination in a garage complex in Birkirkara.

George Degiorgio is currently undergoing separate procedures, along with his brother Alfred, for his involvement in the Caruana Galizia murder.

Key courtroom players

Magistrate Caroline Farrugia Frendo is presiding.

Lawyers Alfred Abela and Rene Darmanin are defence counsel to the Agius brothers. Lawyer William Cuschieri is appearing for George Degiorgio.

Lawyer George Camilleri is representing the Attorney General in the proceedings, while Superintendent Keith Arnaud and Inspectors Shawn Pawney and Wayne Camilleri are prosecuting.

Lawyers Jason Azzopardi and Therese Comodini Cachia are appearing parte civile for the Caruana Galizia family, while lawyer Vince Galea is appearing for the Chircop family.

12:43 That’s it for today. Thank you for following. A summary of proceedings will follow shortly. Kurt Sansone

12:42 The next sitting will be held on 29 April at 8:30am. Kurt Sansone

12:42 The court gives a decree of prima facie, saying the men can be indicted. Kurt Sansone

12:41 The cross-examination is suspended. Kurt Sansone

12:41 Abela: “So once again we are hearing what George Degiorgio told you.” Kurt Sansone

12:40 Muscat: “I had stayed in the car.” Kurt Sansone

12:40 On the identical Peugeot 107 that was used to train for breaking-in purposes, both Alfred Degiorgio and George Degiorgio told Muscat that Robert Agius had sent him for the car. Abela says that this wasn't the first time that Muscat went to rent a car from this man. “Wouldn't you recognise him? Did you need a third party to introduce him?” Kurt Sansone

12:37 Muscat says he picked up the bomb from Santa Venera using his car. Once he arrived in Bidnija he called Alfred Degiorgio who was on the other location. He got the keys and took it to the Naxxar garage. Kurt Sansone

12:36 Abela asks why Muscat travelled to Bidnja with the bomb to pick up the keys to the garage and key fob. Kurt Sansone

12:36 Muscat: “For sure but we had given up on Daphne Caruana Galizia leaving her car outside. She never left it outside. Alfred had called me while I was driving from Siġġiewi to Ħaż-Żebbuġ.” Kurt Sansone

12:34 Abela: “Wouldn't it make more sense that the bomb be brought closer to Bidnija?” Kurt Sansone

12:31 Muscat: “Because we thought she'd be at Notte Bianca.” Kurt Sansone

12:29 Abela: “You took the bomb to Santa Venera because she was in Valletta. If you were still scouting in Bidnija, didn't you feel you had to have it handy? Why didn't you take it to Naxxar?” Kurt Sansone

12:29 Muscat: “Yes.” Kurt Sansone

12:29 Abela: “Were you still keeping watch in Bidnija while she was at the Phoenicia?” Kurt Sansone

12:28 Muscat: “We followed her. We assumed she was going to Notte Bianca.” Kurt Sansone

12:28 Abela: “Did you have information about Daphne Caruana Galizia going to the Phoenicia or did you follow her?” Kurt Sansone

12:28 Muscat: “Yes.” Kurt Sansone

12:27 The bomb was in their possession at Notte Bianca, suggests the lawyer. “Did you carry out observation at Bidnija for a week after that?” Kurt Sansone

12:27 Abela confronts him about his testimony. “The mobile was brought by either Robert Agius or Jamie Vella or both. Vince Muscat said he was told by Alfred or George Degiorgio or both. He did not see the Degiorgios receiving the phone or Jamie inputting the detonation message.” Kurt Sansone

12:26 Muscat: “My version is and it remains the same - when we took the bomb to Naxxar it was alone. Then the mobile turned up. Maksar brought it.” Kurt Sansone

12:25 Abela draws on Muscat’s testimony. “The mobile phone which triggered the bomb was provided by Robert and Jamie with the message pre-entered… Why did you say yesterday that Alfred Degiorgio probably went to buy it Kurt Sansone

12:24 Muscat: “I don't know. George Degiorgio told me it was there.” Kurt Sansone

12:23 Abela: “Why was the bomb left there and not at the Naxxar garage?” Kurt Sansone

12:23 The lawyer asks whether access to this area was limited. “It was not,” replies Muscat. Kurt Sansone

12:22 The court asks about the potato shed in Marsa. “It had several entrances,” Muscat says. “There were boats. There was also a room at the side where we would meet. The bomb was placed under a boat.” Kurt Sansone

12:22 Muscat: “You should ask them that… I know the weapons were rusty.” Kurt Sansone

12:21 Abela: “Don't they have access to better weapons?” Kurt Sansone

12:21 Muscat: “But they had the rusty weapons for a long time.” Kurt Sansone

12:21 Abela continues. “The AK47 and pistols were to be brought on the catamaran…” Kurt Sansone

12:13 Lawyer Vince Galea interrupts. He says that the lawyer's tone is derogatory and that the accused is making facial expressions at him. The court warns the accused not to do so or he will be punished severely. Kurt Sansone

12:12 Defence lawyer Alfred Abela asks about the rifles (the initial plan was to shoot Caruana Galizia). “You said Vella and Agius got them because they had a lot of weapons. But they were rusty, you said. So, these people who have access to all these weapons...” Kurt Sansone

12:11 Muscat: “I didn't see them, no, but the things were missing. Alfred Degiorgio said it was them.” Kurt Sansone

12:11 The lawyer interrupts. “Let me suggest that you weren't there. You are assuming that it is Jamie Vella and Robert Agius. You didn't see them.” Kurt Sansone

12:10 Muscat: “At the beginning yes... when it was fully cleared there was a Pajero...” Kurt Sansone

12:10 Abela asks whether Muscat was present when this garage was cleared. Kurt Sansone

12:09 Abela asks whether the garage had a fob and a key. “It did,” Muscat says. Kurt Sansone

12:09 The cross-examination begins. The lawyer says he will ask about Daphne Caruana Galizia murder. Kurt Sansone

12:08 Vince Muscat now takes the stand again. Kurt Sansone

12:07 The superintendent confirms. Kurt Sansone

12:07 Abela: “In 2019 Vince had asked for a pardon in exchange for information. Even though he had given information on who commissioned the murder he was not given a pardon.” Kurt Sansone

12:06 Defence lawyer Alfred Abela begins his cross-examination. Kurt Sansone

12:05 Arnaud says he had asked if there were any threats but the lawyer said he could not say. “Vince didn't change his version and the lawyer had said he would stop there. The lawyer didn't want to elaborate on the threats and the police could not investigate much. Security arrangements were made for the lawyer's family and Vince Muscat's,” Arnaud says. Kurt Sansone

12:04 Arnaud refers to Muscat's earlier testimony about the meeting at his office in which a change of version was discussed. He confirms that the meeting with the lawyer, who cannot be named, took place in September/October 2019. The lawyer had said that Vince Muscat owed money to Melvin Theuma and that this meant he had to change his version. The superintendent explains the lawyer told him that the truth is that Vince Muscat owed Melvin Theuma money. The lawyer warned that unless Muscat changes his version, their lives would be in danger. “’If you don't want my family and Vince's family to be in danger this must happen’, the lawyer had said,” Arnaud says. Kurt Sansone

11:58 The court says it cannot give an order to have the accused meet their lawyers at CCF as it is at the discretion of the director. The court abstains from dealing with the request. Kurt Sansone

11:58 Nobody can meet the accused under arrest unless with the permission of the magistrate. But the law doesn’t differentiate between a lawyer and the general public. “Certainly this court has no intention of stopping the accused from preparing their defence but it notes that this is an early stage of proceedings… the accused are under arrest at CCF and under the exclusive jurisdiction of the prison director.” Kurt Sansone

11:53 Magistrate Caroline Farrugia Frendo emerges from chambers and we're back in session. She decrees on the request for a meeting with the parties. Kurt Sansone

11:46 The accused are brought back into the courtroom where they are speaking with their lawyers. Kurt Sansone

11:45 We're back. Kurt Sansone

11:15 The court adjourns for a short break. We will be back shortly with our live blog that is being brought to you by our senior court reporter Matthew Agius. Kurt Sansone

11:15 AG lawyer George Camilleri says the defence's request deals with information which is not material evidence to the case in question. However, the prosecution submits to the court's decision with the caveat that this deals with information which is relevant to the case. A decree will be given later. Kurt Sansone

11:12 The defence lawyers request a copy of every statement made by Muscat relative to these proceedings be exhibited in the acts of the case. Kurt Sansone

11:11 Lawyer Alfred Abela, who is appearing for the Agius brothers tells the court that he would like to put “a couple of questions” to the witness. Kurt Sansone

11:10 The parte civile reserve the right for cross-examination. Lawyers Jason Azzopardi and Vincent Galea are appearing parte civile for the Caruana Galizia and Chircop families, respectively. Kurt Sansone

11:09 Arnaud has finished his questioning. Kurt Sansone

11:09 Muscat: “Yes, before a female magistrate. In the case against the Degiorgios and before Magistrate Neville in the Daphne Caruana Galizia murder inquiry. I indicated the route we had taken on a map and it had also been filmed.” Kurt Sansone

11:08 Arnaud: “Let me take you back a few weeks. Do you recall testifying to this somewhere else?” Kurt Sansone

11:07 Muscat says that it had been rented definitely till the 16 October 2017. He was involved in the renting of the garage between 2015 and 2016 but doesn't seem to know much about it. Muscat says he paid the rent to George and Jamie. He cannot say how long after Caruana Galizia’s murder the garage was rented for as it could have been paid in advance. Kurt Sansone

11:03 The witness is shown photographs of the Santa Venera garage complex. Arnaud asks: “Chircop was murdered in 2015 and Caruana Galizia in 2017 and in both instances you mentioned that this garage was used to store the murder weapons. How long was this garage rented for?” Kurt Sansone

11:02 The defence object to more questions about how the boat was bought, saying that the same question was being asked 10 times. The magistrate tells the defence to pipe down and let the witness testify. “You will have the opportunity to make submissions. Sit down,” she says. Kurt Sansone

11:01 Muscat: “In prison.” Kurt Sansone

11:01 AG lawyer George Camilleri: “Where was George's brother [Alfred] during this time?” Kurt Sansone

11:00 Muscat: “No.” Kurt Sansone

11:00 Arnaud: “Do you know how Chircop was pressuring Adrian?” Kurt Sansone

11:00 Muscat: “Adrian owed hundreds of thousands to Chircop.” Kurt Sansone

11:00 Degiorgio stands up to speak to his lawyer. Kurt Sansone

10:59 The magistrate says that earlier on today, the witness mentioned that the Agius brothers would come often to the potato shed. “Did you overhear anything of interest?” Kurt Sansone

10:54 Muscat: “That's what I think. He had resolved their problem with Chircop…” Kurt Sansone

10:54 Arnaud: “Do you know that for a fact?” Kurt Sansone

10:54 Muscat says he thinks that George Degiorgio solved a problem for Maksar. “The boat may have been a present,” he says. Kurt Sansone

10:51 Muscat says he doesn’t know why the money for the yacht was paid by Maksar. Kurt Sansone

10:50 Muscat recounts how after Chircop's murder, George Degiorgio had seen a yacht in Ta’ Xbiex. He had called up the owner and agreed to buy it for €30,000. He called Robert Agius to bring him the money. “I was there. Robert came shortly afterwards and gave him €20,000 or €30,000. Robert was very scared of George Degiorgio,” Muscat says. Kurt Sansone

10:49 Muscat: “I am not the type of person to ask questions. I say again, what I received is my concern, not what other people received.” Kurt Sansone

10:47 Arnaud: “Had anyone else been paid something?” Kurt Sansone

10:46 Muscat: “What I overheard them saying concerned a villa in Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq. I had been there once. It belonged to Maksar's father.” Kurt Sansone

10:46 Arnaud: “What about the money owed by Adrian Agius to Carmel Chircop?” Kurt Sansone

10:43 The plan took about a month to put together, he says, answering questions from Arnaud. “Between four to six weeks from inception to execution,” he specifies. Kurt Sansone

10:43 Muscat: “One time I went to his mother's house and he had shown me two automatic pistols. I asked him why he kept them there and Vella said they were licenced.” Kurt Sansone

10:42 The witness says they never had problems procuring weapons. “In my eyes, it was Jamie Vella who got the weapons from abroad. It was a regular occurrence at the potato shed,” Muscat says. Kurt Sansone

10:41 Muscat says that Jamie Vella disposed of the weapon, wrapped in a cloth, in the sea about a week to 10 days after the murder. “Jamie had to take care of the things in the Santa Venera garage, the AK47, an automatic weapon and others as well as the car. The AK47 was in the car at the time of the murder. It was on the floor of the car. It was there in case the police turned up,” Muscat testifies. Kurt Sansone

10:39 Muscat can't remember the denominations of the cash payment. Kurt Sansone

10:37 Muscat says that the remaining €5,000 were paid after about a week. “George told me go to Zigumar in Buġibba (restaurant/bar). ‘Robert [Agius] will give the €5,000 over there,’ he told me. I went and saw Robert il-Maksar in a Pajero. I walked up to him and he opened the door. He had the €5,000,” Muscat testifies. Kurt Sansone

10:35 Muscat reiterates that before the murder he was paid €5,000. The next €10,000 he received a couple of days later at the potato shed from George Degiorgio. “He had told me that they will give you €5,000 and I will bring them to you,” the witness recounts. Kurt Sansone

10:33 Arnaud asks where Adrian Agius and his brother were during the murder. Muscat says he doesn’t know. Kurt Sansone

10:32 Arnaud asks about the balaclavas. Muscat replies: “We left them in Jamie's flat or the garage… The clothes were put in bags. George and I put the bags at a garbage collection point on a street corner in Hamrun.” Kurt Sansone

10:31 Muscat says that he was told by George Degiorgio that the weapon was hidden in a manhole. He adds that the men then went to Jamie's flat to shower and change to remove gunshot residue. Kurt Sansone

10:28 Muscat is giving detailed directions as to the route they took. They put the car in the garage and took out Koħħu's car out. “Jamie said ‘I will take care of the car’,” Muscat testifies, adding that his associate was going to get someone to dismantle the vehicle. Kurt Sansone

10:26 The accused wanted to go to Santa Venera to pick up Koħħu's car. Arnaud is helping Muscat map out the route taken to Santa Venera. George Degiorgio closed the windscreen visor flaps to make himself less visible and was wearing a hat, the witness says. Jamie Vella and Muscat had a balaclava. Kurt Sansone

10:19 He estimates that they spent between half an hour and an hour in the garage complex. Kurt Sansone

10:18 Muscat says the road leading to the garages is narrow. “We took a right and a left, near the Birkirkara school and then another left. We ended up near the HSBC on the main road. We were facing Naxxar because the other direction was often jammed with traffic.” Kurt Sansone

10:16 Muscat: “I put my head down because we were leaving. The last I saw him he was back towards us stepping inside the garage. Then we drove outside the complex and left.” Kurt Sansone

10:16 Muscat says the weapon was silver coloured and the shots were fired in quick succession. Kurt Sansone

10:15 Muscat indicates the accused: “Those two, George Degiorgio and Jamie Vella.” Kurt Sansone

10:15 Arnaud: “Whose idea was it to use the weapon?” Kurt Sansone

10:15 Muscat: “Jamie Vella already had his hand out... he fired four or five shots. The weapon had been a revolver so that no spent cartridges would be left at the scene.” Kurt Sansone

10:14 Arnaud: “What happened then?” Kurt Sansone

10:13 Muscat: “George Degiorgio drove and got Jamie in a position where he could just reach out of the window from the rear seat. He drove right up to the door. The lawyer had already taken a few steps. All I saw at the time was the lawyer with his back to us. He had just made a step or two inside the garage. There was the lawyer's Mercedes in the garage. It was beige. He had a leather briefcase, black or brown.” Kurt Sansone

10:10 Arnaud: “While you were waiting for the lawyer to open, you were six garages away. When he opened the door what happened?” Kurt Sansone

10:10 Muscat: “The door opened in four pieces. He had opened the first part.” Kurt Sansone

10:09 Superintendent Keith Arnaud asks Muscat what type of door the garage had. Kurt Sansone

10:09 The magistrate emerges from chambers. Vince Muscat, il-Koħħu's testimony continues. Kurt Sansone

09:49 The court calls for a 10-minute break. The magistrate exits the hall and the accused are led outside. Kurt Sansone

09:48 Muscat: “In the meantime, the lawyer arrived. Our car was always running, never off. As he appeared, George Degiorgio took his position and Jamie opened the window... he parked next to him at a distance of about a metre and a half. The lawyer was alone. He went up the ramp, opened the garage door. As soon as the key lock popped we drove up to him and fired between four and five shots.” Kurt Sansone

09:47 They arrived at dawn at the garage complex. “We knew he'd soon be there and Vella kept watch,” Muscat recounts. Kurt Sansone

09:46 The assassins went to the level where Chircop's garage was and parked in a dark spot. Jamie Vella was behind George Degiorgio. “I was next to him on the back seat. The reason was that he could just reach out and shoot him,” Muscat says. Kurt Sansone

09:45 Muscat goes on. “The plan was to shoot the lawyer from inside the car,” he says. Kurt Sansone

09:44 The magistrate says the men can speak amongst themselves but have to maintain decorum. Kurt Sansone

09:44 Parte civile lawyer Vince Galea who is representing the Chircop family protests that the accused are laughing. “We’re talking about a murder. I can hear them form here,” he says. Kurt Sansone

09:40 George Degiorgio shakes his head, bending over to speak to Jamie Vella. Kurt Sansone

09:40 Arnaud asks why it was the three of them in the car. “We would stay on the back seat so George would look like he's driving alone. Jamie Vella would shoot,” Muscat says. Kurt Sansone

09:39 He identifies the garage used by Chircop as the first one on the left. Kurt Sansone

09:39 Muscat: “We put my car in the garage. Me, Jamie and George Degiorgio. The car we used was dark coloured and small. Definitely not white. There are two windows in this garage complex. From this window, you could see Chircop coming out. There are at least three storeys above ground at the complex he says.” Kurt Sansone

09:34 Muscat recounts that Jamie Vella had a garage in Santa Venera. “The plan was that we leave in darkness around 5am to enter the garage complex and go out with the stolen car and check the roads from there to Santa Venera to make sure none of the roads are closed. In the car we had an AK47 assault rifle too,” the witness recounts. Kurt Sansone

09:33 Muscat says that George Degiorgio paid him €5,000 before the murder and €10,000 after the murder. The other €5,000 was paid by Robert Agius at a bar in Buġibba. Muscat says that it was George Degiorgio who decided on the €20,000 fee. Kurt Sansone

09:26 The prosecutor asks him who Robert is. “Robert, Tal-Maksar, the same one,” Muscat says as he points him out in the courtroom. Kurt Sansone

09:25 Muscat: “Each morning, he left early. At 8:30am he'd be already out and go to Valletta. George Degiorgio had once told me that he'd go with Robert to find where Chircop's garage was. The next day, George told me that they found it and said we'd go the following day to see him leaving from his garage. We'd stay outside on the road. When we went, we saw him leaving around the same time. Until then, George Degiorgio and Ta' Maksar brothers knew where Chircop's garage was. Then Jamie Vella came into it.” Kurt Sansone

09:24 Muscat recounts how Chircop had been spotted at Birgu Waterfront eating with his family. It was a feast and there was a burger kiosk. “We bought two burgers and then walked along the waterfront until we saw him,” he testifies. Kurt Sansone

09:21 QUICK REMINDER: We are sitting in for the compilation of evidence against brothers Adriana and Robert Agius, known as Tal-Maksar, Jamie Vella and George Degiorgio. They are charged with involvement in the murders of Daphne Caruana Galizia in 2017 and lawyer Carmel Chircop in 2015. Vince Muscat, il-Koħħu, is testifying. He is now recounting how Chircop’s murder was executed. Our senior court reporter Matthew Agius is keeping us updated from inside the courtroom. Kurt Sansone

09:19 Muscat: “We figured out Chircop had a Mercedes. Maksar didn't know where his garage was. His house had no attached garage. Adrian and Robert Ta’ Maksar pressured George Degiorgio and me to eliminate him. I know the lawyer would use harsh words to Adrian, as he would tell me this.” Kurt Sansone

09:18 Asked by the prosecution, Muscat says he recognises Adrian Agius in the dock. Kurt Sansone

09:18 Muscat: “I was told Chircop would be in a cafe at Naxxar, near a bank. We had gone there and waited 30 minutes before he came by.” Kurt Sansone

09:17 Muscat says he did not like asking questions, when asked why Adrian Agius was indebted to Carmel Chircop. Kurt Sansone

09:15 Muscat says that the lawyer lived near the Birkirkara MacDonalds. “There was a narrow street. He gave me everything. I'd recognize the place. The ‘Maksar’ brothers both started pressing us at the potato shed. There was a villa of theirs which the lawyer was trying to seize. As far as I know, Adrian [Agius] had to give Chircop a lot of money… I think it was about a villa,” Muscat testifies. Kurt Sansone

09:14 Muscat: “I had gone to the potato shed around September/October 2015 and there was George Degiorgio in the room and he told me the ‘Maksa’r brothers came down, and told him that they want to get rid of a lawyer from Birkirkara. The lawyer was owed a lot of money by Adrian, and he was chasing Adrian for it.” Kurt Sansone

09:11 AG lawyer George Camilleri takes the witness back to 2015 to the murder of lawyer Carmel Chircop. He asks him to tell the court the story from beginning to end. Kurt Sansone

09:11 Muscat: “Yes.” Kurt Sansone

09:10 Arnaud sums up: “The change of version was for your safety.” Kurt Sansone

09:09 Muscat: “The lawyer didn't want to speak to me. He left like sulking (qisu ndannat) and from that day on I never saw him again.” Kurt Sansone

09:09 Arnaud: “When you said you didn't want to change versions, what happened?” Kurt Sansone

09:08 Muscat: “Of course. One of my children or wife was going to be killed.” Kurt Sansone

09:08 Arnaud: “Was your family mentioned?” Kurt Sansone

09:07 Muscat: “I say it again because he told me to say that I need to change my version.” Kurt Sansone

09:06 Superintendent Keith Arnaud asks him about the conversation involving the change of version. “Why did the lawyer suggest Muscat change version?” Kurt Sansone

09:05 The points being made by Vince Muscat refer to a message from Alfred Degiorgio through a third party who had suggested Muscat “take some money” then continue doing what he was doing. Another point concerns a message which was sent by Robert Agius Tal-Maksar, who said if he is embroiled in the murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia, he has the power to unseat Labour from government. Kurt Sansone

09:03 Defence lawyer William Cuschieri says the time has come for the prosecution to present every witness statement. Kurt Sansone

09:03 The lawyer purportedly asked Vince Muscat to change his version and say that he owed money to Melvin Theuma and admit to lying about him. “I said nothing… Arnaud spoke up and said at the end of the day the decision is yours to say ‘yes or no’. I looked at them and at the room and said I don't want to spit at the sky and end up with it on my face,” Muscat testifies. Kurt Sansone

09:01 Muscat continues that on one occasion the lawyer said they should speak to [Superintendent] Keith Arnaud at the depot. They went the next day and present in the room there was Arnaud and the lawyer. Kurt Sansone

08:59 Muscat says that a lawyer, who cannot be named on court order, visited him at the Corradino Correctional Facility in 2019. The lawyer is purported to have told Muscat’s murder associate Alfred Degiorgio: ‘Tell Ċensu [Vince Muscat] isn’t it better for him to take some money?’ Kurt Sansone

08:56 The sitting has started. Vince Muscat il-Koħħu takes the witness stand and starts testifying. Kurt Sansone

08:54 Good morning. Kurt Sansone

Matthew Agius is Senior Reporter on Law and Court Affairs at MaltaToday. He is also a Leg...