The Malta Independent 28 June 2025, Saturday
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Jury begins deliberations in Sliema double murder trial

Saturday, 28 June 2025, 14:53 Last update: about 2 hours ago

After 12 days of intense courtroom proceedings, powerful testimonies, and emotionally charged appearances, the trial of Daniel Muka and Viktor Dragomanski has reached its final phase, with the jury now sent to deliberate on a verdict.

Presiding over the trial, Madam Justice Natasha Galea Sciberras concluded proceedings on Saturday afternoon, delivering her final address to the jury. In her remarks, she recapped the key evidence presented during the trial and emphasized the legal standards that must guide the jurors' decision-making.

Muka and Dragomanski stand accused of carrying out the fatal shootings of Christian Pandolfino and Ivor Maciejowski on 18 August 2020. The victims were found dead in their residence, both suffering from gunshot wounds. Prosecutors allege the killings resulted from a planned armed robbery that escalated into deadly violence.

A third man, Jesper Kristiansen, has already admitted to his involvement in the incident and is currently serving a 40-year prison sentence.

Justice Galea Sciberras reminded jurors of the prosecution's burden to prove the charges beyond reasonable doubt and stressed that their verdict must be based solely on the evidence, not emotion or conjecture.

With those instructions, the jury was formally dismissed to begin their deliberations behind closed doors- a process that may span several hours, depending on the complexity of the issues at hand.

Dragomanski is represented by lawyers José Herrera and Alexander Scerri Herrera. The families of the victims are being assisted by lawyers Joe Giglio and Michaela Giglio, while the prosecution is led by Kevin Valletta and Maria Francesca Spiteri from the Attorney General's Office.


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