Former inspector Daniel Zammit testified in court that he only learnt that the crime scene of a 2008 murder had been pulled down to make space for a block of apartments through the media.
Mr Zammit was testifying in the case against Stephen Caruana, who is charged with the murder of Neville Baldacchino. The victim had been shot several times on the roof of the defendant’s home in Qormi.
On the night of the incident Mr Caruana, who was asleep at home with his wife and four children, was awoken by a sound. He was frightened when he discovered Mr Baldacchino inside his home “illegally”, according to his lawyers.
The case was initially investigated by Mr Zammit who later resigned from the police force. The former inspector took the witness stand to answer questions put to him by lawyer Edward Gatt, who is appearing parte civile for the family of the victim.
Asked at what stage he had found out about the demolition of the murder scene, the former officer told magistrate Neville Camilleri that he found out from the media after he had left the force.
The 35-year old former police inspector last year made headlines for the wrong reasons following the damning conclusions of an inquiry ordered by the Prime Minister.
Retired judge Michael Mallia had written that Mr Zammit had not declared a conflict of interest while investigating this murder and deemed such conduct as unethical.
Zammit had carried out business transactions with the Gaffarena family and Joe Gaffarena’s daughter, Romina is married to the accused, Stephen Caruana.
Inspector Keith Arnaud is prosecuting while Lawyer Giannella Demarco is defence counsel. Lawyer Stefano Filletti is assisting Dr Zammit.