Family feud, conflicting testimonies clear man of perjury

Magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera had heard how 54-year-old Joseph Camilleri was charged with lying under oath during court proceedings against a family member, Giuseppe Camilleri, who was being prosecuted on charges of dangerous driving.

Giuseppe Camilleri had complained that Joseph Camilleri had given false testimony to the court, which led to criminal proceedings being taken against Joseph Camilleri.
 
But the court also heard how the two relatives had been on bad terms since  2010 when Joseph Camilleri’s wife, Jacqueline had filed a police report claiming that Giuseppe Camilleri - her husband's uncle- had almost run her and her children over, driving at speed and in a dangerous manner. Giuseppe Camilleri was charged with dangerous driving.
 
Joseph Camilleri had corroborated Jacqueline Camilleri's version in court, claiming to have also witnessed the incident.
 
This version of events was contradicted by Giuseppe Camilleri, however. He had told the court that Jacqueline had not been accompanied by anyone whilst she was walking up the path to his farmhouse on the day in question.

His wife and daughters, passengers in his car at the time, also said that they had not seen Joseph Camilleri as Giuseppe was driving the vehicle on the path to the farmhouse. They also denied that he had been driving excessively fast.

In her judgment the magistrate noted the protracted dispute between the two relatives, holding that the credibility of the witnesses was the deciding factor in the case. The evidence presented was insufficient to prove the allegation of perjury beyond reasonable doubt and cleared Joseph Camilleri of the charge.