Imniehru murder suspects granted bail

George Galea and Jason Galea – the men accused of committing the double murder of Mario Camilleri ‘l-Imniehru’ and his 21-year-old son Mario jnr. in August 2013 – have been granted bail by Magistrate Tonio Micallef Trigona.

In separate proceedings Jason Galea is – alongside Ronald Urry – charged with the murder of taxi driver Matthew Zahra back in August 2012, whose remains were unearthed in the same field where the Camilleris' were found buried. 

“Criminal proceedings have been ongoing for over a year, several sittings have been held and many witnesses have been heard. Taking into account these considerations and the relevant criminal provisions, the court will accede to the defences' request and grant bail,” the Magistrate said.

The court said that the charges are of “grave” nature, and consequently insisted that bail conditions must reflect this.

Jason and George Galea were granted bail against a deposit of €30,000 and a personal guarantee of €30,000 each. The accused will also be held under house arrest, and sign at their respective police stations twice daily, once in the morning and another time in the evening. They are also prohibited from going abroad, and from approaching any witnesses, including those who have already testified. 

Despite hearing a substantial number of witnesses testify, prosecuting inspector Fabian Fleri said 28 witnesses – the majority of whom are court appointed experts and police officers - have yet to be summoned to testify.

During previous sittings, the court heard how Jason Galea shot Mario Camilleri l-Imniehru twice in the head before driving off to a field in Tal-Qajjenza, limits of Birzebbugia. The corpse of Camilleri was then lowered into a shallow grave in the field that had already been dug out.

Moments later, Camilleri's son Mario arrived on the scene where he was dropped off at the field. At this point, George Galea took Camilleri by the throat while Jason Galea started hitting him with a loose tile lying nearby. Jason Galea then asked George to retrieve his handgun from inside a room in the field, and shoot Camilleri.

Galea refused, leading Jason Galea to repeatedly stab Mario Camilleri with a knife, then finishing him off with two shots. The two men loaded the son in a wheelbarrow and dropped the body next to that of his father's.

Lawyer Gianella de Marco is representing Jason Galea, while lawyer Joe Giglio is appearing for George Galea.