Melvin Theuma back in court, but testimony postponed after legal wrangling

Melvin Theuma’s testimony in the compilation of evidence against the three men accused of murdering Daphne Caruana Galizia had to be postponed after legal wrangling over his recordings.

Lawyer William Cuschieri, appearing for George Degiorgio, 55, known as Iċ-Ċiniż, Alfred Degiorgio, 53, known as il-Fulu, insisted yesterday that all recordings are played in court before he could cross-examine Theuma.

The Degiorgios and Vincent Muscat, 55, known as il-Koħħu, stand charged of procuring, planting and detonating the bomb that killed

Caruana Galizia on 16 October 2017.

Theuma was cleared to continue testifying by psychiatrists after having attempted suicide last summer. In last week’s sitting, three psychiatrists appointed by the court to report on Theuma’s state said he could continue with his testimony. Melvin Theuma had been given a presidential pardon to tell all about the murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia. He says he acted as a middleman between businessman Yorgen Fenech - allegedly the mastermind behind the assassination - and the three men who allegedly executed the car bombing. Theuma had recorded conversations between himself and several other people, including Fenech when he feared that police were closing in on him.

However Theuma, who was in court yesterday, did not take the witness stand as the defence lawyer insisted that he could not cross-examine him before all recordings are heard in court, as happened in the case against Yorgen Fenech. Fenech is undergoing separate proceedings and stands charged of masterminding the murder.

The magistrate said she had to hear from Muscat’s defence lawyer, Marc Sant, on the matter. Sant was indisposed yesterday and so the case was put off to February 3.

The compilation of evidence is being heard by Magistrate Claire Stafrace Zammit.

Lawyer Marc Sant is appearing for Vince Muscat. Lawyer William Cuschieri is appearing for the Degiorgio brothers.

Superintendent Keith Arnaud and Inspector Kurt Zahra are prosecuting, aided by Deputy Attorney General Philip Galea Farrugia.