A heated exchange erupted in court between self-confessed murder middleman Melvin Theuma and one of the hitmen, George Degiorgio on Thursday, prompting security officers to intervene as the two men traded accusations during the trial by jury of Yorgen Fenech.
Melvin Theuma was repeatedly forced to defend his credibility on Thursday as the defence confronted him with recordings in which he appeared to make claims that differed from his testimony in court.
Questioned over alleged blackmail, his presidential pardon, payments and attempts to recover photographs and recordings, Theuma admitted that he had lied and "bluffed" in the past but insisted that he was now telling the truth about Yorgen Fenech's alleged role in the murder.
His testimony came under intense scrutiny on Wednesday, as defence lawyer Gianella de Marco repeatedly pressed him over contradictions in his testimony, his presidential pardon, secret recordings and his claims involving Keith Schembri, Johann Cremona and former police commissioner Lawrence Cutajar.
The defence's line was focused heavily on Theuma's credibility: when he was telling the truth, when he was bluffing, why he had lied and why some of his accounts had changed over time.
Fenech has pleaded not guilty to two principal charges: complicity in the wilful homicide of Daphne Caruana Galizia and criminal association to commit the murder.
Caruana Galizia, a columnist with The Malta Independent, was killed in a car bomb on 16 October 2017.
Five men have already been convicted in connection with Caruana Galizia's assassination. Vince Muscat admitted his role in the murder in 2021 and was sentenced to 15 years' imprisonment. Alfred and George Degiorgio each received 40-year prison sentences after pleading guilty in 2022, while Robert Agius and Jamie Vella were sentenced to life imprisonment in 2025 for supplying the bomb used in the attack.
The prosecution is being led by Attorney General lawyers Godwin Cini, Anthony Vella and Danika Vella, assisted by Assistant Commissioner Keith Arnaud and Inspector Kurt Zahra. Fenech is represented by lawyers Charles Mercieca, Giannella de Marco and Gianluca Caruana Curran, while lawyers Therese Comodini Cachia and Jason Azzopardi are appearing parte civile on behalf of the Caruana Galizia family.
Judge Edwina Grima is presiding.
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18:25 That heated exchange brings today's court session to a close. However, the defence has not yet finished questioning Theuma, and his cross-examination will therefore continue in another sitting. Thank you for following our live blog, a roundup of today's key points will be available on our website shortly.
18:18 The judge then questions Degiorgio about how he learned that Vince Muscat, known as il-Koħħu, was speaking to investigators.
Judge: How did you find out that Koħħu was speaking to police?
Degiorgio: An inmate told me. We didn't really hear anything here. He didn't tell you anything about HSBC.
Turning towards Theuma, Degiorgio continues: "Nothing about how you were going to receive €100,000, you didn't tell them about how you were involved."
The judge stops Theuma from responding and brings the confrontation to a close.
As Degiorgio leaves the courtroom, he can be heard remarking: "they only hear what they want to hear in here".
18:16 George Degiorgio: "You've got no balls. They didn't give us a pardon because we were going to mention everything. We never asked him for money or anything. He always gave it to us of his own accord."
Degiorgio repeats that they never asked Theuma for anything.
MT: "Whatever they asked me for, they always got."
18:15 The judge then intervenes, questioning Degiorgio about the money, food, and other items he received while in prison.
Judge: "Who used to give you money in prison? Mario used to bring you money and food?"
George Degiorgio: "Melvin used to send them, yes, because he wanted to. He used to send rabbits and things like that because he wanted to - not because we asked him."
Theuma becomes extremely emotional and strongly disputes Degiorgio's claim that the assistance was given voluntarily, insisting that the brothers had repeatedly received financial support from him.
MT: "You didn't pay for anything! We paid for everything for you! Even for your children and your partner!"
George Degiorgio: "We never asked you for money. You're such a bluff. At least tell the truth - they gave you the pardon."
MT: "You're a clown!"
18:13 Tensions in the courtroom reach an extraordinary level as the confrontation between Melvin Theuma and George Degiorgio becomes increasingly heated.
The atmosphere is palpable, with those present watching intently as the two men repeatedly shout over each other and accuse one another of lying.
Asked once again whom Theuma had identified as being behind the murder request, Degiorgio insists that Theuma mentioned only Keith Schembri.
George Degiorgio: "Theuma didn't mention anyone else. He only mentioned Keith."
MT: "I didn't mention anyone. No! That's the truth."
George Degiorgio: "Of course. Be careful they don't take away your pardon."
Theuma becomes visibly furious at the remark, while Degiorgio continues to taunt him.
18:12 George Degiorgio: "Give me the pardon and I'll say whatever I want. Nobody heard what we had to say."
Judge: "Order! Mr. Degiorgio, quiet!"
Degiorgio insists that Theuma was the first person to tell him that Keith Schembri was involved.
George Degiorgio: "I was told it was Keith Schembri. Melvin was the first one who told me."
Theuma angrily rejects this, raising his voice as he gives his version of his contact with the Degiorgio brothers.
MT: "I only met Alfred Degiorgio. I only spoke to George once. He told me: 'So many bullies have died, what makes you think she won't die too?'"
Degiorgio laughs and responds sarcastically as the argument continues.
Theuma again insists that Schembri had nothing to do with the assassination.
MT: "Keith Schembri had nothing to do with the murder."
George Degiorgio: "Then why did you start being afraid that Keith would kill you? Get out of here."
18:10 The confrontation then suddenly explodes into an angry face-to-face exchange.
Theuma turns around to face Degiorgio and both begin yelling at the top of their lungs.
George Degiorgio: "You can say whatever you want because you have the pardon. Everyone can say what they want with a pardon. You've got no balls! There's nobody here who lies as much as you do. You should be ashamed of yourself."
The confrontation becomes increasingly heated, with the pair appearing close to physically confronting each other.
Security officers intervene as Theuma gets up and appears to approach Degiorgio.
18:05 The confrontation continues, with Theuma insisting that he never told the Degiorgios that either Keith Schembri or Yorgen Fenech was behind the murder.
Theuma: I only spoke to George Degiorgio once and he told me "so many tough guys died, she'll die too". I never mentioned Yorgen Fenech, right until the end. Keith Schembri has nothing to do with the crime.
Degiorgio: So why were you afraid that Keith would kill you?
Theuma: Forget it (U mur 'l hemm).
The prosecution then intervenes, referring to George Degiorgio's testimony about an earlier, 2015 plot to murder Daphne Caruana Galizia. It notes that Degiorgio had named George Degiorgio, David Gatt, Vince Muscat, Chris Cardona and Keith Schembri in connection with that plot.
Turning to the 2017 plot, the prosecution recalls Degiorgio testifying that Cardona had told him to hurry up and kill Caruana Galizia because she was going to "wreck the party".
The judge asks Degiorgio whether Theuma had ever explained why he wanted them to move quickly with the murder plot.
"No," Degiorgio replies.
Theuma: George only told me "so many tough guys died, she'll die too".
Degiorgio: That's not true. I told him to go tell Keith Schembri that he would know once we were done. Melvin lowered his head and smiled when I said that.
Theuma: That's not true. I never mentioned neither Keith Schembri nor Yorgen Fenech.
17:59 The confrontation between Mario Degiorgio and Melvin Theuma quickly becomes heated.
De Marco asks Degiorgio about his previous testimony concerning Theuma's visits to the potato shed and who had allegedly sent him.
De Marco: Mr Degiorgio, you said that when Theuma came to the potato shed and you asked him on who's behalf he came, he said Keith Schembri.
Degiorgio: I told him that when everything is over, Keith Schembri will know. Melvin lowered his head and smiled. But in the beginning Fredu (Alfred Degiorgio) told me that Melvin had come with a request and I asked him who sent him. He said he would return the next day with a price, but I said I wanted to know who engaged him. Melvin came back two days later and Fredu asked him (who sent him). He said "Keith, obviously" [ħeq, ara, mhux Keith]. We then went to confirm it with Chris Cardona in his office and when we asked him who sent Melvin he (Cardona) said Keith, of course [mhux Keith Schembri bagħtu].
Theuma turns towards Degiorgio and points at him.
Theuma: You, of all people, are not going to make me look like a liar (tgħid mhux int ħa tgiddibni).
Degiorgio: There's no bigger liar than you. You're here with a pardon. Grant me a pardon and I'll say what I want to say. They never gave us a pardon because we were going to reveal everything. Including all politicians.
17:48 George Degiorgio is next to be brought into the courtroom for a direct confrontation with Melvin Theuma.
Degiorgio enters the courtroom wearing jeans, a T-shirt and sandals.
17:47 The judge tells Camilleri to step down from the witness stand, bringing the direct confrontation between him and Melvin Theuma to an end.
17:46 The questioning then returns to an alleged meeting at Ramla taż-Żejtun.
Theuma: "Johann wanted me to meet Kenneth at Ramla taż-Żejtun at night."
Kenneth Camilleri: "I know nothing about that. It's not true that I called Johann Cremona to meet Melvin at Ramla taż-Żejtun."
Theuma continues to say the opposite of Camilleri's version of events, insisting that Johann called him to meet with Kenneth.
Theuma also adds that he did not go to the meeting because he was scared that Camilleri would kill him.
17:39 The confrontation continues, with the two witnesses giving conflicting accounts of what happened when Camilleri went to Johann Cremona's office.
De Marco: Melvin Theuma said Kenneth Camilleri went to Johann Cremona's office the next day.
Theuma: Yes, that's what he did. He pulled a paper from his pocket and told me I have a problem because I'm the mastermind behind Daphne's murder. I told him no, it's Yorgen Fenech.
Camilleri: I went there, we argued a little, and then I left because I realised what they were trying to get me involved in.
Theuma: That's not true.
Camilleri says the next time he saw Theuma was during a meeting near parliament.
Camilleri: I saw you again when we met close to parliament.
De Marco (to Camilleri): You gave him some telephone numbers and told him he was the mastermind.
Camilleri: No.
De Marco then returns to Theuma's claim about what Camilleri had asked him.
De Marco: Melvin Theuma is saying you asked him about the problem with Yorgen Fenech.
Camilleri: I never asked that.
Theuma: And I insist that he did.
Camilleri then tries to raise a point concerning Keith Schembri's testimony, but the judge stops him from doing so.
"We are only here for the confrontation," she says.
17:33 Proceedings resume with the defence requesting a confrontation between Melvin Theuma and Kenneth Camilleri over differences in their testimony.
Both men are brought before the court and questioned about Camilleri's visit to Theuma in Żurrieq.
De Marco: Can you repeat what you said about when Kenneth Camilleri came to Żurrieq to speak to you?
Theuma: He asked me what problem I had with Yorgen Fenech.
Camilleri: No. He mentioned Degiorgio's bail and I called Keith Schembri.
De Marco: You mentioned Keith Schembri.
Camilleri: No, I moved away to call Keith.
Theuma: Yes, he mentioned him.
Camilleri: And I'm saying I didn't.
17:01 The defence moves on to questions about whether Theuma had intended to buy a pistol.
De Marco: Is it true that you were going to buy a pistol?
Theuma: Yes, but I didn't buy it.
Jurors are then shown an October 2018 chat between Theuma and a person named Jean. It is not immediately clear who Jean is, but the messages concern a pistol being offered for sale.
The pair negotiate over the price, with an initial asking price of €1,700 eventually reduced to €1,600.
Theuma insists in court that the purchase never went ahead.
"I definitely didn't buy it. If I had, the police would have definitely found it in the raid," he says.
He says he does not remember the exchange but maintains that he never bought the weapon.
Theuma then objects when De Marco asks how many properties he owns.
"Do I need to reply?" he asks the judge. "Is she (de Marco) my accountant?"
"You have to answer," the judge replies.
"I think I have ten properties," Theuma says.
The judge then calls a 15-minute break.
16:50 The court hears another recording between Theuma and Johann Cremona, in which Theuma again refers to the secret service as being "Keith's children".
Asked about the remark, Theuma says he made it because of the turmoil he was experiencing at the time.
"Yorgen Fenech told me Keith Schembri had started crying and Joseph Muscat was furious (indannat u maħruq) because they're going to catch them before they kill her," Theuma tells the court.
It is not immediately clear what Theuma is referring to, and the defence quickly turns back to what was said in the recording.
De Marco: So this phrase was a mistake?
Theuma: Yes, I said that by mistake.
De Marco: Now you're going to bring Joseph Muscat into the story (issa ħa ddaħħal lil Joseph Muscat fl-istorja).
Theuma: Joseph Muscat is mentioned in the recordings too.
16:43 The defence returns to Theuma's testimony about earlier car bomb cases and what he had been told about those involved.
Theuma says Vince Muscat, known as il-Koħħu, wanted to disclose information about seven murders, but not the HSBC case "because there are big fish involved".
He refers to a number of cases, including the 2017 car bomb murder of Victor Calleja, known as "Chippy", in Marsa, as well as the case of Romeo Bone.
De Marco: So you remember who was involved in the gang. Did they say anything at White Stars (a Marsa bar)?
Theuma: They wouldn't say anything at White Stars. Johann Cremona had told me that it was all them and it would be good if police caught them all.
De Marco then asks Theuma what he had been told about the secret service.
De Marco: What did he tell you about the secret service?
Theuma: Il-Ġojja would say that the secret service are all Keith's children (metaphorically).
16:32 Another recording is played to jurors, this time of a conversation between Theuma and Johann Cremona, in which Cremona appears to suggest that the police commissioner had listened to Theuma's recordings.
Theuma disputes this in court.
Theuma: It's not true that the commissioner had heard the recordings.
De Marco: What is Johann saying?
Theuma: That the commissioner heard the recordings. But it's not true. I went and told Yorgen Fenech that the commissioner knew about the recordings.
De Marco then suggests that Theuma had reached an agreement in exchange for his presidential pardon.
De Marco: You struck a deal for a pardon.
Theuma: You're wrong. I received a pardon thanks to the ability of Arnaud and Zahra, because the report they made reached the Attorney General.
De Marco refers to Keith Arnaud's earlier testimony, saying the investigator had told the court that Theuma asked for the police commissioner.
De Marco: In his testimony, Arnaud said that you asked for the commissioner.
Theuma: It's not true, it's absolutely not true.
16:25 The cross-examination now turns to the presidential pardon granted to Theuma.
De Marco questions Theuma about his claims concerning the police commissioner and suggests he is constrained by the terms of his pardon.
De Marco: Why are you blaming things on the commissioner? Can you not speak because you bought your pardon?
Theuma: Do you know that for me to receive the pardon (Keith) Arnaud and (Kurt) Zahra went to the commissioner and then took it directly somewhere else?
De Marco: Everything was rigged (kollox maħdum u lest kien).
16:19 Jurors are next shown a 19 October chat between Theuma and his partner.
In the exchange, Theuma writes: "everything went very well there. Where Edwin went" (hemmhekk ok ħafna ta. Fejn mar Edwin).
"You see, you stay worrying for nothing," his partner replies.
De Marco tells the court that Brincat had gone to see then-police commissioner Lawrence Cutajar on 17 October and had been caught by the secret services, two days before Theuma sent that message.
De Marco: Coincidentally, just two days later, you told your partner "everything went very well".
Theuma: I'm not going to remember what I was referring to, it's been too long. All I can say is that il-Ġojja guided me to name names and he got information from the commissioner and passed it on to me.
De Marco: Where did Edwin go?
Theuma: He can go wherever he wants, it's none of my business. At the end of the day, I told Yorgen Fenech to speak to the commissioner when I told him to speak to the guy from Lija.
De Marco: Of course, because you pin everything on Yorgen Fenech.
Theuma: Well, he's the mastermind.
16:09 The defence asks for a separate WhatsApp exchange, dated 10 May, to be shown to jurors. This conversation is between Edgar Brincat and then-police commissioner Lawrence Cutajar.
In the chat, Cutajar asks Brincat: "can you come to my house today at 5pm?"
"Yes, I'll come at 5pm," Brincat replies.
16:04 In another message, Theuma's stepdaughter says of Brincat: "he is guiding you well" (dak qed imexxik sewwa).
The defence focuses on the comment, questioning Theuma about what role Brincat played in advising him.
De Marco: Was Edgar really guiding you well?
Theuma: He was guiding me on what to say in the recordings. To mention names.
De Marco: Did Edgar have to go anywhere?
Theuma: Not from my end.
De Marco then asks Theuma about a meeting Brincat had with the police commissioner in May.
De Marco: What if I told you that, in May, Edgar had to go to see the police commissioner? (sarcastically) To discuss a fine.
Theuma: I don't know.
15:56 Court proceedings resume. With initial legal arguments concluded, Theuma's cross-examination resumes.
The defence picks up where it left off before the break, returning to the WhatsApp exchanges between Theuma's partner and her daughter.
One of the messages referred to Edgar Brincat, known as il-Ġojja, taking photographs "where he needs to take them to scare them".
De Marco: From the messages, it looks like you wanted the photo as proof that you were friends with Keith Schembri.
Theuma: Friends just because we met twice?
De Marco: I'm asking you about what they (Theuma's partner and her daughter) said. Are they lying too?
Theuma: Ask them. Madam, I can't read their minds (minix qiegħed f'moħħhom).
The back-and-forth between Theuma and the defence draws smiles from people in the courtroom.
13:20 The court orders a break for lunch. Theuma's testimony will continue at 3pm.
13:17 Theuma tells the court that he never gave Edwin (Edgar) Brincat any photographs, adding that the defence should ask the people involved in the chat to explain what they meant.
De Marco then asks whether Theuma had ever sent Brincat anywhere on his behalf, noting that Brincat went to see the police commissioner in May.
Theuma: Never.
De Marco: So Edwin was never sent to take those photos, embracing Keith, to the commissioner...
Theuma: No, it's not true.
13:07 The court is shown another WhatsApp exchange, this time between Theuma's partner and her daughter, as the two try to track down a missing photograph.
"The photo must be somewhere. Did you delete it?" Theuma's partner asks.
"No, I didn't delete it, I don't know where it is, I'm having a breakdown," her daughter replies, adding that she can only find a blurred copy.
As the conversation continues, Theuma's partner questions why he was so intent on finding the photograph.
"I don't know why he needs this photo. Edwin is bringing everything up again. He told me Yorgen could die, he must be going crazy," she writes.
"Don't you remember he had deleted everything and told you to save them on yours?" she adds.
Theuma's partner then asks whether "Edwin" could have retained a copy.
"Of course he doesn't. He had it and gave it to Yorgen," her daughter replies.
The chat continues, with Theuma's partner saying that "Edwin" had told Theuma he needed the photograph for a specific purpose.
"Edwin told him he wants it. He's going to take it where he needs to take it to scare them, so he needs to be embracing Keith," she writes.
12:54 Jurors are shown further messages exchanged with Theuma's stepdaughter concerning files he had stored on a laptop. In the chat, Theuma asks her to bring the laptop, which contained recordings, photographs and messages, to his home in Żurrieq.
"They're gone, it's better if you just go ahead and tell me," Theuma writes.
"I can extract them, but they're not clear," she replies.
Theuma then asks: "Are they definitely gone from the laptop at home? Are they gone from the mobile too? I'd be ready to pay €10,000 for them" (anke għaxart elef lest li nħallas għalihom).
De Marco: Why did you need them?
Theuma: I don't remember.
De Marco: Where were you taking them the next day?
Theuma: I don't remember.
Theuma tells the court that his concern was not limited to the photograph with Keith Schembri. He says he was also trying to recover other photographs and recordings which he believed may have been lost.
12:44 The cross-examination returns to the photograph of Melvin Theuma with Keith Schembri.
De Marco asks whether Theuma remembers wanting to have his photo taken with Schembri.
Theuma: I don't know.
De Marco then suggests that Theuma became extremely upset after losing the photograph.
De Marco: Do you remember that you had lost the photo and went berserk?
Theuma: I don't remember.
De Marco: You don't remember that you were sick because you lost the photo?
Theuma: I don't remember.
De Marco: Very interesting. You don't remember that you were ready to pay €10,000 to find the photo?
Theuma: I don't remember.
12:33 Jurors are next shown an April 2018 WhatsApp exchange between Theuma's partner and her daughter.
In the messages, Theuma's partner writes: "he's going to fix everything, someone big came with Johann".
Her daughter asks: "Do you think Yorgen knows?"
"No, not even the big boys, you know what I mean (Le, anke l-kbarat...ifhimni)," Theuma's partner replies.
Asked about the exchange in court, Theuma says the "someone big" being referred to was Kenneth Camilleri.
He recalls that sometime after Camilleri's visit, he also went to see Mario Degiorgio and Edgar Brincat, although he is unsure whether those meetings took place on the same day.
12:24 Another excerpt from a recording was discussed in which Edgar Brincat, known as il-Ġojja, could be heard telling Melvin Theuma to mention names when speaking, specifically instructing him to name Kenneth to make things crystal clear. In court, Theuma confirmed this, explaining to the judge that Brincat regularly advised him to explicitly mention people's names.
When defence lawyer Gianella de Marco asked what Theuma wanted to make crystal clear, Theuma replied that Keith Schembri had sent Kenneth Camilleri regarding the issue of bail, and that he felt he needed to name Schembri in his secret recordings so he would have stronger leverage and evidence when applying for a presidential pardon. De Marco challenged this, suggesting that while his lawyers did an excellent job securing his pardon, he also received direct assistance from the police commissioner, an allegation Theuma firmly rejected as untrue. De Marco then pointed out that Brincat could be heard on the recordings instructing him to "tell him you engaged me," to which Theuma clarified that Brincat was referring to Yorgen Fenech.
12:07 Another audio recording was introduced, capturing Melvin Theuma saying that his primary worry was the money-laundering issue. De Marco questioned whether this meant he was unconcerned about the murder, to which Theuma clarified that while he was worried about the murder, the money-laundering investigation had stemmed directly from it.
When de Marco asked if the Degiorgio brothers and il-Koħħu were aware of the money laundering, Theuma answered that they were not. Asked whether they demanded money or if he simply chose to start paying them, Theuma explained that he felt trapped, describing himself as being caught in a net. Turning to how he requested funds from Yorgen Fenech, Theuma stated he would tell Fenech that the hitmen needed money for legal representation, vehicle insurance, and various other expenses. When de Marco pointed out that not a single audio recording captured him explicitly asking Fenech for money, Theuma responded that Fenech had repeatedly assured him he would never be left to struggle, adding that he personally felt too uncomfortable to directly press Fenech for cash.
11:57 The proceedings resumed with the focus returning to the recorded conversation between Melvin Theuma and Johann Cremona that had been played before the break, during which a figure of 16,000 euros had been brought up. When defence lawyer Gianella de Marco asked Theuma if he knew the date of the recording, he replied that he could not remember.
De Marco then asked whether Theuma had threatened Yorgen Fenech, to which Theuma firmly denied ever threatening him for money, adding instead that Fenech used to boast about having power through his wealth. Pushing further, De Marco noted that Theuma had initially acted on his own initiative, confirming that no one forced him to hand over money to the Degiorgio brothers in the beginning. Theuma agreed, explaining that while he went to them first, the situation escalated because they continuously demanded more funds. When de Marco asked if the hitmen ever snitched on him, Theuma stated that only il-Koħħu could have revealed his name, noting that Yorgen Fenech had told him il-Koħħu was talking about him.
11:50 As the sitting resumed, de Marco askedMelvin Theuma about his discussions with Edgar Brincat, known as il-Ġojja, suggesting that Brincat had been involved from the start by instructing him on what to say, what to record, and what to include in the ice cream box where Theuma kept his recordings. Theuma acknowledged that Brincat told him to name names in the recordings, though he noted that he also spoke to Johann Cremona without Brincat's knowledge.
When de Marco asked if he kept Brincat informed about everything, Theuma confirmed he did, but added that Brincat would immediately cut him off whenever he brought up a presidential pardon, insisting that Theuma would never receive one. Turning to the photograph of Keith Schembri, de Marco asked why Theuma wanted to use it to frighten people. Theuma explained that because Schembri had supposedly promised bail for the Degiorgio brothers, he placed Schembri on that same level, but firmly denied that his intention in having the photo was to scare anyone.
11:00 The sitting has been suspended for a short break.
10:59 Theuma insisted that the police commissioner did not take any money, but De Marco countered that the recording captured him telling Edgar Brincat to pay the commissioner. Accusing the defence of playing an incomplete recording, Theuma maintained that his talk of money was entirely a "bluff." Theuma stated he had little contact with the commissioner. Theuma confirmed that his arrest date was moved forward from November 16 to November 14. When de Marco asked if he knew why the date was changed without informing the commissioner, Theuma dismissed having any inside knowledge, assuring her that he never received information from the commissioner. De Marco challenged his credibility, arguing that she could not rely on a witness who admitted to bluffing or falsely implicating people due to psychological distress. Theuma insisted he was now telling the truth, and when de Marco pointed out his history of changing versions, he replied that he was openly admitting where he had lied and where he was telling the truth.
10:48 Another snippet of the recording is played, with the defence suggesting it implied Theuma had paid off the police commissioner - an allegation that Theuma strongly denied. In the audio clip, Johann Cremona mentions that "he asked for a favour yesterday," to which Theuma replies, "Maybe he gave it to the other guy." When Cremona asks if he means "Yorgen?", Theuma clarifies, "Not about that. They spoke. He told him 'here, take these and go abroad.' 15,000. I went to give them to him. I told him I'd give them to him 5,000 at a time." Cremona then asks, "Shall I relay that information?", and Theuma responds, "No, no. I told Edwin 'if I give them to you five at a time, is that good?' He told me 'I don't want them from you'."
10:37 Theuma scoffs at the suggestion he paid for his presidential pardon. The defence then played another audio recording in which Theuma could be heard telling Johann Cremona, "I've got everything prepared to get it over and done with." In court, Theuma asked to listen to the full conversation to properly understand the context, but the judge instructed him to answer based on what he currently grasped.
When De Marco pressed him on whether he was referring to his pardon in that statement, Theuma maintained he could not follow what was being said on the tape. The defence then played another snippet from the same recording in which Cremona advised him, "Just tell them what suits you," prompting Theuma to clarify to the court that they had actually been discussing police raids during that part of the conversation.
10:29 The recording is of another conversation between Theuma and Johann Cremona, in which Cremona tells Theuma to take good care of his recordings.
In court, Theuma says they were discussing what Edgar Brincat told Theuma - that the police commissioner and Europol were aware that he had recordings.
10:18 De Marco pressed Melvin Theuma for specifics regarding the payment for the bomb, to which Theuma reiterated his previous testimony that he handed over 30,000 euros upfront to the hitmen, followed by the remaining 120,000 euros after the murder, alongside the money for the binoculars - explaining that he had paid that extra 5,000 euros out of his own pocket. Shifting topics, de Marco questioned him about his presidential pardon, and Theuma maintained that he sought the pardon to cover two distinct matters: his money-laundering case and his involvement in the assassination, stating he was completely certain about that. Following this exchange, defence lawyer Charles Mercieca requested that another audio recording be played to the court.
10:11 Another audio recording was played to the court, capturing a conversation between Melvin Theuma and Johann Cremona in which Cremona warned, "Make sure he doesn't tell the commissioner," referring to Edgar Brincat ("Edgar Brincat"), while Theuma replied that he had told Brincat "that Kenneth called me" and added, "I swear on my boy's life, you know what Edgar wanted... I told him Kenneth called me and they accepted."
When defence lawyer Gianella De Marco pressed him on what had been "accepted," Theuma claimed he did not know. De Marco suggested that authorities had accepted to grant him a presidential pardon on the condition that he pinned everything on Yorgen Fenech, but Theuma firmly denied this, maintaining that he obtained his pardon legitimately. When De Marco repeated Cremona's warning to keep Brincat from speaking to the commissioner and asked again what they had agreed to, Theuma maintained he did not know, ultimately reiterating that whatever he had previously claimed regarding Keith Schembri was simply a product of his own psychological distress and imagination.
9:57 With the WhatsApp chat from September 26, 2019, finally displayed on the courtroom screens, it revealed a conversation where Melvin Theuma instructed his stepdaughter to buy a pendrive, sent her a photo of a bottle of wine, and asked her to check its price. After she identified it as a Brunello di Montalcino worth over 40 euros and retailed at 86 euros at Chophouse, she asked where he got it, to which Theuma replied that it was given to him by "that liba" (a Maltese derogatory term) Yorgen.
When de Marco remarked that this text demonstrated his true level of respect, Theumaretorted that he had respected Fenech a great deal, noting that he never took a single cent from the murder funds for himself and even ended up paying money out of his own pocket. Theuma said that if Fenech had not dragged him into the mess, he would still be living like a "little lord," adding that he is still suffering the consequences to this day.
9:50 As defence lawyer Charles Mercieca requested that a WhatsApp chat from September 26, 2019, between Melvin Theuma and his stepdaughter be displayed on the courtroom screens to demonstrate how Theuma spoke about Yorgen Fenech, de Marco continued her questioning. De Marco asked Theuma what he would say to the claim made by hitman George Degiorgio that Keith Schembri was the one who engaged Theuma to have Daphne Caruana Galizia killed, which Theuma flatly dismissed as completely untrue. When de Marco quoted Degiorgio's testimony that they would never carry out a hit without knowing who ordered it, Theuma insisted de Marco was deeply mistaken, stating that the only thing George Degiorgio had ever told him was a remark about how many tough guys had already died and that she would die too.
9:44 Following the replay of the recorded phone call between Melvin Theuma and Edgar Brincat ("Ġojja"), during which Theuma could be heard saying he told Fenech to contact someone, de Marco asked who he was referring to. Theuma confirmed he meant Keith Schembri. When de Marco pointed out that Theuma also mentioned 1,000 euros a week in the call, Theuma explained that Fenech had continued paying the hitmen between 1,000 and 3,000 euros weekly right up until the end. As de Marco suggested that Theuma himself wanted 1,000 euros a week, Theuma pushed back, telling her to say whatever she wanted while insisting there was only one truth. When de Marco asked if that truth was that Yorgen Fenech was the mastermind, Theuma answered affirmatively, affirming that Yorgen Fenech of Tumas Group had given him 150,000 euros to have Daphne Caruana Galizia killed.
9:35 Theuma testified that he continued speaking with Yorgen Fenech right up until the very end, prompting de Marco to ask if he had been afraid of Fenech. Theuma replied that his only fear was getting caught. When de Marco pointed out that he claimed to have been afraid of Keith Schembri, Theuma explained he feared Schembri because he knew Schembri would do anything for Fenech, but firmly stated that de Marco could try to pin it on Schembri if she wished, whereas he could not implicate him because Schembri never gave him money or ordered the murder. When de Marco accused him of threatening Fenech, Theuma denied it, noting that right before his arrest, Fenech even reimbursed him 20,000 euros that Theuma had previously paid out of his own pocket.
After de Marco challenged his earlier denial of making Fenech cry-noting the audio recording played moments earlier-Theuma insisted he had never made Fenech cry, leading De Marco to call for the audio to be played again.
9:30 A recorded phone call between Melvin Theuma and Edgar Brincat ("Il-Ġojja") was played in court, capturing Theuma telling Brincat that he had made Yorgen Fenech cry, instructed Fenech to tell Keith Schembri, and remarked that he would "sort one guy a week." On the witness stand, Theuma explained that Fenech had been stunned and on the verge of tears when handed portions of the secret recordings, adding that he told Fenech he could pass them along to Keith Schembri if he wished. When the judge intervened to ask for clarification on the "one guy a week" comment, Theuma clarified that he was referring to Mario Degiorgio - the brother of two of the hitmen - and the money he was handing over to him on a weekly basis to be passed on to the hitmen detained in prison.
9:25 When defence lawyer Gianella De Marco suggested he was blackmailing and threatening Yorgen Fenech for money, Melvin Theuma denied it, pointing out that when Fenech provided the funds to have Daphne Caruana Galizia killed, he did not ask for a single cent for himself, only requesting the exact 150,000 euros that Alfred Degiorgio had demanded. When De Marco noted that he had left behind evidence containing lies about people, Theuma defended his actions by asking whether he ultimately told investigators the truth when push came to shove. When De Marco pressed him on whether he was telling the truth today, Theuma curtly replied to set her mind at ease that he was.
9:20 Defence lawyer Giannella de Marco brought Melvin Theuma back to the contents of his letter, which implicated both Yorgen Fenech and Keith Schembri in the murder, and asked why Theuma had handed over audio recordings, his photograph with Schembri, and his government job contract to Fenech. Theuma explained that he gave those items to Fenech to show Schembri after Kenneth Camilleri visited him, which led Theuma to assume Schembri had sent Camilleri and that Fenech and Schembri were involved together. When asked if they actually were, Theuma answered no. De Marco then accused Theuma of blackmailing Fenech and threatening him for money, which Theuma firmly denied. As the exchange grew tense, De Marco remarked that Theuma was repeating himself, to which Theuma retorted that she was doing the exact same thing.
09:15 Judge Edwina Grima emerges from her chambers, and after jurors take their place, the session begins.