The Malta Independent on Sunday
Widow of cyclist ‘pleasantly surprised’ by hit-and-run driver’s verdict
Shirley Micallef, the widow of cyclist Clifford Micallef who was killed in a hit-and-run incident on the Coast Road in 2009, said she had been advised by her lawyers not to expect more than a suspended sentence for the driver responsible for the tragedy, so as a result she was ‘pleasantly surprised’ by Friday’s verdict.
Anthony Taliana, who was 21years-old at the time, has been sentenced to three years in prison and, on his release, will be banned from driving for one year.
On 30 July 2009, at around 5.15 am, Taliana was driving a girlfriend to her home in Bugibba after a night out in Paceville. Close to the entrance to the White Rocks Complex, his Opel Astra crashed into the cyclist, Mr Micallef, who died on the spot. He was 45 years old.
Taliana who did not stop, continued his journey, dropping off his friend in Buġibba before making his way to his father’s garage in Ħamrun. Some hours later, the police managed to track down the owner of the vehicle, the accused’s father. The suspect was later found in bed, fast asleep, in his Buġibba flat.
Speaking to The Malta Independent on Sunday, Mrs Micallef said that when the judgement was passed she was relieved that the court had finally taken the case seriously, adding: “I had a lot of faith in the magistrate.
“We want to be positive, as otherwise we can never be happy and at peace. We want good to come out of it,” she said.
The court has moved one step further Mrs Micallef believes, while insisting that there are several more steps that need to be taken. She also asserts that citizens, as well as the Government, need to push for the law to be amended with regard to charges of involuntary homicide by increasing the maximum penalty.
“I did not gain anything yesterday,” says Mrs Micallef regarding the fact that Taliana will be going to prison. She even says that he will not gain anything from going to prison as she does believe that prison reforms people.
While she accepts that justice has been done in this case, she believes that Taliana will probably come out of jail worse than he is at the moment. “I do not think he [Taliana] realises what he did. He never showed any emotion, he never looked me in the eye and I was seeing him every month for nine years.”
However, Mrs Micallef says that prison is still important because people need to know that there actions do have repercussions and they need to fear something. She also comments that suspended sentences are too commonplace.
IN MEMORIAM
GRIMA.In loving memory of THOMAS on the 30th anniversary of his demise.Never forgotten by his children, their spouses, grandchildren, relatives and friends. Lord, keep him in your loving care.
She recalls that Taliana snatched away the father of her children, aged only 11 and 15 at the time. “He was their hero, they loved him to bits. One evening they were watching a DVD together, they went to bed and the next morning they find their mother breaking the news. It was the worst moment of my life.”
The fact that he was only denied a driving licence for a year was “shocking” for Mrs Micallef. “Knowing that he is going to be on our roads is a frightful thought,” she said.
Taliana now has 12 days in which to appeal against his sentence and Mrs Micallef expressed the hope that, should there be an appeal, his sentence will not be reduced. She believes that the appeal will just be a waste of resources as there is no basis for one.
Criminal charges were filed against Taliana for involuntary homicide, drink-driving, driving without third party insurance, driving at excessive speed and relapsing, having already been convicted of dangerous driving.
Court experts reported that, at the time of the collision, road conditions were dry and visibility was good. Contact damage to the Opel revealed that Taliana had been driving at some 90 km an hour when he crashed into the rear of the bicycle, sending Mr Micallef hurling into the air at impact speed.
A medical expert certified that Mr Micallef had been killed as a direct result of the violent impact.
Although Taliana tested negative to drugs, a chemical expert had concluded that a urine sample taken from the accused some six hours after the incident had indicated a strong presence of alcohol, classifying him as being in a state of “euphoria/excitement” – meaning diminished attention, judgement and control and impaired perception.
“I do not think he [Taliana] realises what he did. He never showed any emotion, he never looked me in the eye and I was ” seeing him every month for nine years