A Scandinavian witness testified in court this morning in the Erin Tanti case, and said that Tanti told him that he and Lisa Marie Zahra did not jump at the same time.

Erin Tanti, 24, is pleading not guilty to the charges of murdering Ms Zahra, 15, assisting her to commit suicide, defiling her, participating in sexual acts with her and being in possession of indecent images of her.

Ms Zahra and Mr Tanti were found at the bottom of Dingli cliffs on 19 March last year, and Ms Zahra was found dead by rescuers. Mr Tanti was injured and spent a few days in in the Intensive Therapy Unit.

He was then moved to the Forensic Unit at Mt Carmel, where he met the witness.

The 28-year-old witness shared a room with Erin Tanti for a few days, the court heard, where they conversed sporadically, and he borrowed Tanti’s guitar.

“He told me that the couple cuddled and were holding hands while at Dingli cliffs, and that they couldn’t live in this world as a couple. The only way they could live together is in the afterlife”.

“Why?”, the prosecution asked.

“He told me the girl was under age. Nobody would approve. When someone says something like that, it’s tragic”.

He told the court that Tanti had a backup plan, some money saved and his passport ready “however I do not know if he had it on him at the time”. He testified that originally, Tanti used the word ‘they’ for this plan, however later began saying “he”.

The court heard that Tanti did not tell the witness about any plane tickets.

He said he transferred rooms soon after as he didn’t want to remain with Tanti.

During the cross examination, defence lawyer Michael Sciriha asked if Tanti told him about his medical problems, to which the Scandinavian witness said that everyone in the forensic unit is on medication, “so I didn’t ask”.

The witness admitted that he is currently under the same medical treatment as when he was in the Forensic Unit at Mt Carmel.

He said that Tanti told him he had been injured, but did not discuss his injuries.

During the sitting, the witness admitted to being a criminal for most of his life, later stating “I’ve made mistakes, and haven’t learned much from them. I know the difference between right and wrong, however sometimes I do stupid things”.

He said he has lived in various countries, and has spent around 6 years of his life in prison. He also admitted to being a former drug addict, paying for his addiction by working as a salesman and bartender.

The witness is currently under trial for a separate incident that will soon be decided. Asked about his plans, should he be let free, he said “my plans are made one day at a time”.

Asked whether he saw anything that Tanti had written while they were living in the same room, he said no.

The housekeeper is expected to testify in another sitting, and the defence requested that a psychologist be appointed to examine the documentation by Steven Farrugia Sacco, who was a court appointed IT expert and the diary of Lisa Marie Zahra.

The Prosecution requested that the documents from the IT expert be highlighted and the decision will be taken at a later stage.

Keith Arnaud prosecution, Gianella De Marco Stephen Tonna Lowell representing the Parte Civile

Lawyers Michael and Lucio Sciriha appeared for the Defence and Magistrate Audrey Demicoli presided.