Decision on Matthew Bartolo’s involuntary homicide case postponed to September

In a court hearing on Monday, Magistrate Gabriella Vella announced that the decision on the involuntary homicide case of 17-year-old Matthew Bartolo will be handed down in September after all parties agreed to exempt the court from having to go through all the case’s evidence again.

The decision taken by the Magistrate during the hearing, which was the first sitting after Judge Consuelo Scerri Herrera ruled that the case must be reheard from scratch after an 11-year long legal saga, effectively means that the case’s timeline has been fast-tracked.

Bartolo died in an accident in 2015 at just 17 years old after sustaining severe injuries from using a poorly-secured woodworking machine owned by his former employers, Construct Furniture.

During the next hearing, which is now scheduled for 28 September, the accused – Construct Furniture shareholder and director John Agius, company foreman James Cefai, and employee training manager Amanda Cefai – are expected to make their final submissions before the magistrate hands down a decision.

In April, Judge Scerri Herrera’s ruling unequivocally stated that all three accused should have been found guilty of involuntary homicide and ten other charges which they were facing, overturning a previous judgment which had found Agius guilty of just criminal negligence and exonerated the other two accused.

Bartolo’s family members were present for the hearing and expressed their exasperation at making their way to court only to be told that a decision would be taken in a few months.

Though the Bartolo family continues to hope that justice for their son will one day be served, the delays faced in court have taken their toll.

Just a few days ago, the family commemorated the 11th anniversary of Matthew’s death, which occurred on 4 June, 2015.

“Up until this day, 11 years ago, this family was still happy and united. This mother could still hold her son in her arms. This father could still argue with his son while enjoying their shared love for our traditional feast. His brother could still pick on him, fight with him, but love him, all at the same time,” the post reads.

Besides numerous administrative and technical delays, the family’s attempts at seeking justice were also hamstrung by a prosecution which Magistrate Clare Stafrace Zammit had previously described as “confused” and out of sync, further complicating the case.

“Crying, yelling, screaming, breathlessness….that is all we remember from that day. Nobody could believe it, even though we saw you…we lost you forever because of negligence. We cannot call your name, hug you, joke with you, and enjoy your presence in every family occasion,” the post reads.

“We are doing everything we can to bring you justice. A 17 year old boy had to lose his future and be mourned by his family and many other people. We miss you dear, continue taking care of us from heaven and please stay with us for a bit during this long, ugly day,” the post continues.