Paceville murder: no charges against taxi driver

There will be no charges issued against taxi driver Robert Aquilina for the murder of Mario Galea in Paceville last August, the prosecution told the Court today.

Galea, 47, had been repeatedly kicked and suffered several blows to the head during a fight which was recorded by CCTV cameras.

He fell to his knees and was pulled by the hair onto the pavement opposite the Frank Salt offices, where he was punched again before he became unconscious.

CCTV also showed a taxi coming round the corner and running over the body.

Police inspector Keith Arnaud this morning told Magistrate Neville Camilleri that Aquilina would not be charged with murder, although he has been charged with traffic related offences regarding the incident.

Lawyers Michael and Lucio Sciriha and Giannella de Marco, appearing for Joe Zahra of St Julians and Brian Cini of Victoria, the men charged with the murder, reserved the right to file a challenge to the Police Commissioner to have Aquilina charged in connection with the death.