Jason Galea – who stands accused of murdering Mario Camilleri (aka l-Mniehru) and his son – is being "denied the right to work as a watchman or as a security in a catering establishment since the Police Commissioner has not yet issued him a licence while his curfew conditions prevent him from doing so also", his defence lawyer argued in court today.
Mr Galea is out on bail. Lawyer Stephen Spiteri also pointed out that two applications had been filed so far calling for an amendment to the bail conditions of the accused so that he can work but for the second time the Attorney General is turning down such a request.
Dr Spiteri said that Mr Galea is being denied the fundamental right to support his wife and two children financially, even due to the fact that Galea’s bail conditions prevent him from working certain hours of the day. He also highlighted that it is the employer who dictates the hours an employee must work and therefore his client had no control over his potential working times.
Dr Spiteri therefore requested an amendment to his client’s bail conditions and for the court to keep Galea’s family in mind on taking a decision.
“Galea had completed a course to obtain a watchman certificate, but the certificate had not yet been issued. A second work opportunity was in a catering establishment, but Galea cannot qualify for either of them due to his curfew,” his lawyer told Magistrate Josette Demicoli.
Prosecution Inspector Chris Pullicino argued that the court must first be convinced that the accused satisfied all legal requirements before this request is considered. He acknowledged that work is a constitutional right, but he asked what Galea’s potential employer was guaranteeing to the court. Did he inform the court of his intention? he asked.
Insp. Pullicino said that the police had not been informed of the identity of the employer and that this was necessary to ensure that there is no danger of tampering with evidence.
“I don’t want to be seen as leaving the accused, who is still presumed innocent, with no income whatsoever, but in the same way that the defence has a duty towards the accused, I also have a duty towards the family of the victims,” the inspector explained.
After hearing out the two, the court decreed that the potential employer should be summoned to testify as to the hours and conditions of work. The case is set to continue on 6 May.