VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – A nine-member jury has retired to deliberate in the trial of Yorgen Fenech, the Maltese businessman accused of commissioning the murder of investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, who was killed by a car bomb on October 16, 2017. Judge Edwina Grima concluded three days of directions to the jury, reviewing the main evidence and testimony heard during the trial and explaining the legal principles the nine jurors must apply in reaching their decision. Before sending them to deliberate, Grima reminded them that the verdict must be based on the evidence presented in court and concluded by saying: “May God help you.” At least six of the nine jurors must agree for a verdict to be reached.
The jury will consider separately the two charges against Fenech: complicity in the murder and participation in a criminal association aimed at killing the journalist. Fenech, 44, has consistently denied the allegations and, during his testimony, sought to shift attention towards Keith Schembri, former chief of staff to then-prime minister Joseph Muscat, claiming that Schembri was obsessed with Caruana Galizia and had a motive to have her killed. Schembri has never been charged with the murder. The defence also challenged the credibility of Melvin Theuma, the alleged intermediary between Fenech and the men who carried out the assassination. Theuma was granted a presidential pardon in exchange for cooperating with investigators and accused Fenech of ordering and financing the murder, as reported by the Times of Malta. The decision now rests with the jury. If convicted of complicity in the murder, Fenech faces a life sentence.
– photo IPA Agency –
(ITALPRESS).
