Early conclusion to Friday hearing in Yorgen Fenech trial as prosecution struggles to summon witnesses

An early end to Friday’s hearing in the Yorgen Fenech murder trial saw witness testimonies wrap up by around 3.30 pm, after the prosecution struggled to summon six witnesses who were not available on short notice.

Madam Justice Edwina Grima was visibly displeased when the court was informed that no further witnesses were available, warning the state’s prosecutors that she would not tolerate wasting several hours from individual hearings in a trial which is set to last the better part of the summer.

The prosecution told the court it had tried to confirm more witnesses both late on Thursday night and early on Friday morning, but that nobody was currently available on relatively short notice.

Earlier in the day, Stephen Baldacchino, a former analyst at BNF Bank, testified about bank documents related to Theuma.

He confirmed that a commercial lease agreement involving Theuma and BestPlay Gaming Ltd, domiciled at Portomaso, formed part of the documents provided to the bank. The court also heard that when Theuma later tried to deposit a cheque, the bank was advised to refuse it and terminate its relationship with him after noting his connection to Daphne Caruana Galizia’s assassination.

The court also heard from registry and transcription witnesses who confirmed documents and transcripts linked to Melvin Theuma’s secret recordings. Former deputy registrar Graziella Attard confirmed the authenticity of documents presented in the compilation of evidence, while court transcribers Margaret Debattista and Marisa Mifsud testified about recordings they had transcribed on the inquiring magistrate’s orders.

Superintendent Rennie Stivala, from the FCID, testified about searches carried out in November 2019 in connection with Ryan Farrugia, partner of Theuma’s girlfriend’s daughter. Cash amounting to €111,000, coins, jewellery, mobile phones and other electronic items were seized.

Court expert Alvin Cardona testified about documenting evidence, including the photo of Keith Schembri with Theuma and DVDs containing Theuma’s recordings and interrogations.

The court also heard briefly from former Europol digital forensics expert Marco Tolli and a Melita representative who provided registration details for Edgar Brincat, il-Gojja’s, phone.

The trial continues on Saturday morning.