Jurors to deliberate in 2008 drug trafficking trial

The prosecution and the defence have concluded their final submissions in the trial by jury of Rio Micallef from Marsa, David Tabone from Naxxar, and Darren James Vella from Birkirkara who stand accused of drug trafficking ecstasy pills back in 2008.

Prosecuting lawyer Godwin Cini, upon making his submissions to the members of the jury, made constant references to the data extracted from the accused’s mobile phones that were found upon their arrest, as previously heard in court. 

He told jurors that the call profiles extracted from the mobile phones of Rio Micallef and David Tabone’ match with the calls found on Darren James Vella. 

He said that data from the call profiles which were extracted from the mobile phones are a “bible of evidence”.

Tabone’s mobile phone contained several messages received from saved contacts that constantly mentioned the word “dawk” which allegedly referred to the drugs in question.  

Other messages sent to David by various individuals also raised suspicions. One message stated “I need ten” while others noted, “they are too expensive.”

The prosecution also mentioned the numerous calls exchanged amongst the three accused on the days leading up to the drug deal and on the eve of the arrests.

On the day of the alleged drug deal the same person who had previously messaged Tabone also sent him “How much are they?”.

Lawyer Godwin Cini also emphasised that the combined with the data extracted from the mobile phones such as the substantial number of phone calls made between the three and in consideration of the corraborating timestamps, the evidence starts to add up and form the “jigsaw puzzle”. 

He also argued that the call profile data and the timing of messages and calls result in a certainty beyond a reasonable doubt about the accused’s involvement and that it was not a case of simply being at the wrong place at the wrong time.

The prosecutor also reminded the members of the jury of how Rio Micallef fled the scene upon spotting the police back on the day of the arrests. The black bag containing the ecstasy pills and a large amount of cash, together with the electronic balance found with traces of ecstasy found on Tabone was also mentioned again. 

Defence lawyer Arthur Azzopardi, representing David Tabone, in his concluding submissions, mentioned the substantial amount of time that had passed for the case to be heard and said: “How is it fair that my client has to suffer?”. 

Tabone’s lawyers also told the members of the jury that they are completely convinced of Tabone’s innocence. 

Lawyer Jose Herrera, defending Rio Micallef, told the jury that as a defence team, they are doing their best to seek justice for their client who is “definitely” not guilty. "An innocent person being convicted innocent is the biggest injustice that can happen," he said. 

Prosecutors Kevin Valletta, Godwin Cini, and Danica Vella are representing the Attorney General’s Office.

David Tabone is being defended by lawyers Arthur Azzopardi and Jacob Magri, while José Herrera and Alex Scerri Herrera are representing Rio Micallef. Darren James Vella is being assisted by lawyers Michael Sciriha and Matthew Xuereb.