Four people have pleaded not guilty to the involuntary homicide of Miriam Pace.
The four - all of whom were on police bail but were re-arrested this morning - include the architect and the contractor.
54-year-old Pace was buried under the rubble of her home after it collapsed in Triq Joseph Abela Scolaro, on 2 March in Hamrun.
Pace's house was right next door to a building site which had been excavating at the time. Her body was found hours after the collapse by the Civil Protection Department.
The four accused: the 36 year-old architect Roderick Camilleri of Rabat, the Site Technical Officer, 72, Perit Anthony Mangion of Gzira, the 37 year-old contractor Ludwig Dimech from Zebbug and a 42 year-old workman, Nicholas Spiteri from Mqabba, appeared before Magistrate Natasha Galea Sciberras charged with negligently causing Pace's death. This charge carries a maximum punishment of four years in jail.
Camilleri, Mangion and Dimech are also charged with making a false declaration to the authorities. Perit Mangion was accused of being absent from a site where dangerous works were being carried out. The prosecution asked that the accused's warrants be revoked.
The four are also facing other lesser charges, that primarily carry fines. Dimech alone is also accused of recidivism.
Miriam Pace, 55 (inset), was killed when her house collapsed into an adjacent construction site on 2 March. Photos Alenka Falzon
The original inquiry into the accident was held by Magistrate Claire Stafrace Zammit.
Prosecuting Inspectors Robert Vella and Matthew Galea told the court how the accused had been among several people arrested after the collapse, Vella said. Police bail had been granted until the magisterial inquiry into the incident had concluded. Police had pressed charges after collecting evidence.
The accused had been given police bail "5 or 6 times" he said and had not given any trouble whilst on police bail.
The court ordered the charges to be read out.
All four accused men pleaded not guilty to the charges. Bail was requested. Inspector Vella said that while it was true that the men had cooperated with the police whilst on police bail, conditions must reflect the nature of the case. "One must understand the present situation we are living in and that some of the accused are vulnerable and this must be taken into account. But although the prosecution is not objecting to bail, we must bear in mind that we have a person who lost her life and serious charges." Today's catchphrase is "stay home, stay safe," said the inspector, pointing out the irony of the fact that the victim was killed in her own home.
The evidence was preserved, argued the lawyers.
Firefighters sift through the rubble of the Pace family home. The operation to retreive Miriam's body lasted eight hours
The court granted the men bail, noting that two of the accused were already prohibited from leaving home during the COVID-19 pandemic for medical reasons.
Camilleri and Mangion were granted bail against a deposit of €1500 and a personal guarantee of €7500. Dimech was released against a deposit of €1500 and personal guarantee of €8500 in view of his criminal record. Spiteri was granted bail against a deposit of €1000 and a personal guarantee of €9000.
Lawyers Alfred Abela, Arthur Azzopardi and Rene Darmanin are defence counsel to Architects Roderick Camilleri and Anthony Mangion.
Lawyers Michael Sciriha, Roberto Montalto and Franco Galea defended Ludwig Dimech.
Lawyers Franco Debono and Marion Camilleri appeared for Nicholas Spiteri.
Lawyers Joe Giglio, David Bonello and Stefano Filletti are appearing parte civile for the family of the victim and owners of adjacent properties.
Carmel Pace entering the courthouse flanked by his lawyers, Joe Giglio and David Bonello, on Wednesday morning. Photos: Alenka Falzon