[WATCH] Daphne Caruana Galizia murder: Dramatic turn of events as second magistrate withdraws from case
Magistrate Charmaine Galea is the second magistrate to recuse herself from the case against George Degiorgio (ic-Ciniz), Alfred Degiorgio (il-Fulu) and Vincent Muscat (il-Kohhu), accused of murdering journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia
The compilation of evidence against three men accused of murdering Daphne Caruana Galizia was called off for a second time this morning after Magistrate Charmaine Galea withdrew from the case.
George Degiorgio, Alfred Degiorgio and Vincent Muscat appeared in front of the magistrate this morning in what had to be the start of the compilation of evidence against them by the prosecution.
However, the magistrate recused herself after she indicated that the slain journalist had been critical of her appointment back in 2013. Magistrate Galea had also represented MaltaToday in a libel case against Caruana Galizia at the start of her legal career. Galea is the second magistrate in four days to withdraw from the compilation of evidence.
Galea was appointed magistrate last Thursday, replacing Magistrate Donatella Frendo Dimech, who recused herself after doubts about her impartiality, based on her familiarity with Caruana Galizia's sister, were raised by the accused.
Frendo Dimech was meant to preside over the compilation of evidence, which is a pre-trial stage where the police present the evidence they have against the accused. The magistrate would then decide whether there was enough evidence for the men to stand trial.
It was the defence that raised doubts on the magistrate's impartiality again. The dramatic turn of events plays into the hands of the accused since the compilation of evidence has to start within 30 days of charges being filed.
Lawyer Jason Azzopardi had pointed this out to the magistrate, saying the court "should not allow itself to be manipulated by those who wish to evade the course of Justice. The release of the accused, necessitated by senseless delays, when the compilation of evidence has not even begun would be an indescribable insult to the administration of true Justice, and would only serve for the three persons accused with this infamous crime to use the court to evade the law."
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The Degiorgio brothers and Muscat were arrested during a massive police and army raid on their quarters in the Menqa area of Marsa on 4 December.
Seven other men arrested during the raid have since been released on police bail.
Who are the accused
- George Degiorgio 55, unemployed, lives in St Paul's Bay, known as Ic-Ciniz
- Alfred Degiorgio, 53, unemployed lives in St Paul's Bay, known as il-Fulu
- Vincent Muscat, 55, unemployed lives in Msida, known as il-Kohhu