A Court today heard how Lisa Maria Zahra was beyond help by the time rescuers reached her, with once rescuer describing the body as "cold and stiff."

Zahra's body was found some 50 metres away from Tanti. 

One rescuer said that he could not understand how Tanti had survived the eight storey fall, but abided by normal procedures and treated him for a suspected spinal injury.

Tanti, 23, is being accused of murdering Zahra and assisting her suicide. He is also accused of defiling a minor, participating in sexual activities with an underage person, possessing indecent images of her and abusing a position of trust.

Below is a minute-by-minute account of the compilation of evidence against teacher Erin Tanti. 

Live blog:

11:49 The case will continue on 3 June. All the evidence compiled thus far will be sent to the Attorney General

11:47 Lead Prosecutor Keith Arnaud is assuring Dr Sciriha that all the necessary evidence regarding the Tumblr blog is undoubtedly preserved on Zahra’s hard disk. 

11:45am Defence Lawyer Michael Sciriha is expressing his disappointment that the Pathologist and other medical professionals have not been called to testify.

He also wants to know if Zahra’s Tumblr blog ‘Omens of Darkness’ has been downloaded yet. 

11:42am Tanti is looking on, seemingly unfazed at the moment. 

11:40am Various members of the Civil Protection Department are now taking the Court through the moment when the initial call came, and how the rescue was handled. 

11:29am Tanti’s medical records have been presented to the Court. 

11:24am  The rescuer confirmed that by the time they got to her, Zahra did not have a pulse and her body was full of injuries. 

11:22am Rescuer Philip Galea has now taken to the witness stand.

He said that the rescue operation was not easy, particularly because Tanti was not on flat ground which made placing him on a stretcher difficult. 

11:17am Inspector Pierre Micallef Grimaud is now testifying.

Tanti had managed to gather himself together, but on hearing mention of the note addressed to his mother saying, “Dear mum, this has nothing to do with you,” he once again bowed his head and started sobbing. 

11:05am The rescuer clarified that Tanti and Zahra were 50 metres away from each other horizontally, and not vertically.

Tanti did appear confused, the rescuer said, but answered his questions. 

11:01am Under cross-examination, the rescuer said that Tanti also had a wound on his forehead.

The rescuer said when he first reached the scene, he could not rule out that Tanti fell off the cliffs, and he immediately started treating him for a suspected spinal injury. 

10:59am Tanti’s lawyer is asking Bombardier Cassar whether his client told the rescuer “I jumped,” rather than “I fell.”

The Bombardier is sticking to his version of events.

Lawyer Michael Sciriha is asking for a copy of the footage on the rescuer’s helmet camera.

The Prosecution has agreed to hand over a copy. 

10:54am A brown jacket was found hanging on a tree. The Bombardier did not touch the jacket or question how it got there. He has been shown a picture of a brown jacket which was placed on a tree near Zahra’s body, and confirmed that it is the same jacket. 

10:52am Zahra’s lawyer is questioning the Bombardier, who said that he was incredulous that Tanti survived an eight storey fall.

When Bombardier Cassar asked Tanti if he was in pain, Tanti pointed towards his ribs. The Bombardier said that Tanti also had a bruise on his right leg.

10:47am Once another rescuer reached Tanti, Bombardier Cassar made his way to Zahra’s body, which he says was about 50 metres away from Tanti.

“I could not do anything at this point, her body was already stiff, all I could do was recover the body,” Mr Cassar told the Court.

Tanti has broken down completely now. His arms are crossed and he is sobbing with his head bowed down. 

10:41am The Bombardier said that Tanti told him “I fell from up there.”

Tanti just shot up from the dock and consulted his lawyer. He is shaking his head and does not appear happy with what the Bombardier is saying.

10:38am Lance Bombardier Pierre Cassar is saying how he was winched down by helicopter to a field nearby Tanti.

Mr Cassar is telling the Court that the whole process was recorded via a camera on his helmet. 

10:30am Next up is PC Michael Vella, who is once again going over the timeline of events.

Tanti’s mother has left the Court as she is to be called as a witness at a later stage, but his father is still by his side. With his hands clasped in his lap, Tanti's eyes are nervously darting from side to side as he follows proceedings. 

10:25am Mr Abdila is saying that the Police entered Tanti’s Valletta flat through an open balcony door, with the assistance of the CPD.

Tanti is already choking  back the tears. His composure has changed markedly since the last hearing and he seems to be much more aware of his surroundings. 

10:22am PC Paul Abdila is the first to testify. He is running the Court through the first instance when the accused, Erin Tanti, and his student, Lisa Maria Zahra, were first reported missing.

10:11am Tanti’s forlorn looking parents are by their son’s side in the dock, as the Court awaits magistrate Audrey Demicoli's arrival.

Tanti's mother is chatting away with her son, as his dad stares blankly at the wall.

The compilation of evidence in the Erin Tanti case continues today.