The trial by jury of a woman from Birzebbuga and her daughter who stand charged with money laundering continued yesterday, when the court heard that the woman’s husband – who is involved in the case – had also been found guilty of homicide in Italy and had been sentenced to 22 years in jail.

Carmen Butler, 43, and her 22-year-old daughter, Stephanie Butler, a chambermaid, have been charged with money laundering. The police had started investigating the chambermaid after e57,500 (Lm24,000) was discovered in her bank account.

The police had also discovered another bank account in the chambermaid’s name, totalling e27,000 (lm12,000) after just five deposits.

The court, presided over by Mr Justice Giannino Caruana Demajo, heard a number of police officers testify about Carmelo Butler, the husband, and father, of the two accused ladies respectively.

The court heard that it turned out to be Carmen Butler who had deposited money into her daughter’s account.

Police investigations also revealed that the money had been coming from Mr Butler’s criminal activities. In January 2002 and during the previous months, the chambermaid, assisted by her mother, had been helping Mr Butler to make it seem like the source of the money was legitimate.

The court heard police inspector Paul Vassallo testify that Mr Butler’s had a remarkable criminal record that included a murder which had taken place in the process of his trafficking irregular migrants.

During the cross-examination, the inspector agreed with defence counsel Edward Gatt that Mr Butler’s homicide case was not connected to money laundering.

An Italian court had found the man guilty of trafficking migrants, and this could have been one of the sources of the money deposited into his daughter’s account, said the inspector, adding that he had also been found guilty of stealing two cars between 1997 and 1998 and forgery.

Dr Gatt said it was the first time that the inspector had mentioned the thefts and forgery, adding that the cars – a Mini Minor and an Isuzu Gemini – had been returned to their owners way before the year 2000, when the money had started to be deposited into the chambermaid’s account.

Among other witnesses who testified yesterday was Olaf Terribile, employed with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs . He had known Mr Butler as a result of his extradition to Italy, where he was charged with trafficking of irregular migrants.

Mr Terribile said the man’s wife had requested social benefits in 2004, and had told him that her husband was waiting to be given his sentence.

Another witness, superintendent Neville Xuereb said Mr Butler and another Maltese national had been arrested on 18 August 1998 with regard to the trafficking of irregular migrants, who had themselves told the police they paid $850 each to get to Italy on a boat carrying six people.

Assistant Attorney General Aaron Bugeja is prosecuting. Dr Anglu Farrugia and Dr Edward Gatt are appearing for the accused.