Bar owner faces murder charge after push that led to Qawra’s death
A Qawra bar owner has been arrested after pleading not guilty to causing the death of a 60-year-old man who allegedly went down some steps after the two argued at the bar.
David Busuttil, a 59-year-old resident of Qawra, was the target of a criminal prosecution following the incident in the very early hours of Friday morning when police were informed of a patient admitted to Mater Dei Hospital in Qawra. critical situation for the 1.30am crash.
A nurse later told police that the man had been found on a sidewalk in Triq it-Turisti, Qawra, just outside Munchies Bar.
Investigations began and police called the bar owner who allegedly admitted he was involved in an argument with the other man and had pushed him down the stairs.
The incident led to a magisterial inquiry and several court experts were appointed to assist in the investigation.
It was certified that the victim had died of blood after hitting his head in the fall.
The owner of the bar was accused on Saturday evening of knowingly endangering the victim’s life, manifesting serious injuries, knowingly attempting to conceal the evidence as well as disturbing the peace.
Busuttil, who was visibly sad and crying during the hearing, pleaded not guilty.
His lawyers, Franco Debono and Marion Camilleri, demanded his release.
But the prosecution objected, not only in light of the gravity of the charges but also because civilian witnesses had yet to testify and there was a risk of tampering with the evidence.
The accused tried to tamper with the evidence, the prosecution says
In fact, after the incident, the accused allegedly contacted the CCTV service provider and the prosecution claimed that that call amounted to an attempt to tamper with the evidence.
However, the defense denied that there was any explanation for that call and therefore no evidence of the prosecution’s inference.
In addition, it was a case of self-defense, said Debono, who added that the accused had explained the dynamics of the incident in his statement and told the police how he was provoked.
In addition, the entire incident was captured on CCTV footage, which means that civilian witnesses were less relevant.
Debono asked why no witnesses were brought to court.
After hearing the submissions of both parties, the court, presided over by Magistrate Victor George Axiak, dismissed the request in light of the gravity of the charges and the fear of tampering with the evidence, but to the prosecution to summon all civil witnesses as soon as possible. possible hearing.
Inspectors Shawn Pawney and Ryan Vella were summoned, assisted by AG attorneys Abigail Caruana Vella and Nathaniel Falzon. Attorneys Franco Debono and Marion Camilleri were defense attorneys.
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