Lawyer disrespected journalist testifying in libel case – IGM

The Institute for Maltese Journalists has denounced comments made by lawyer Joseph Zammit Maempel in court during a libel case in which he denigrated witness Saviour Balzan, as “in need of psychiatric care”.

The MaltaToday managing editor was exhibiting several internal police documents linking police inspector Elton Taliana with notorious criminals in court, as part of his evidence in a defamation case against him.

Balzan was testifying in libel proceedings filed against MaltaToday journalist Raphael Vassallo by Taliana about an article linking the inspector to arson attacks on Balzan’s residence at the time.

In a statement, the Institute said comments by Zammit Maempel to Balzan, calling him “paranoid” and “in need of psychiatric care” went beyond his competence as a lawyer and lacked respect towards the journalist.

“The IGM augurs that respect reigns in both words and actions where there is any disagreement or argumentation,” the institute said.

In the libel case, Balzan was presenting evidence on Taliana, who filed for libel over an article published after an investigation into the wrongful arrest of Darryl Luke Borg, in which Elton Taliana was involved. Balzan told the court that he had received documents showing that Taliana socialised with Borg and other shady characters convicted of drugs and theft.

“I was informed that Taliana’s brother was the owner of an apartment that was also used as a brothel. I passed this on to Peter Paul Zammit, the Commissioner of Police at the time,” Balzan said.

Balzan told the court that the police was given footage of Taliana’s brother outside a private bank, waiting for someone to withdraw money from the ATM and then being handed the cash. “Why is this all relevant? I began to have serious doubts about Taliana’s character. I had met with Peter Paul Zammit and asked him why no steps had been taken against him, in spite of all this evidence. He did not answer.”

Balzan exhibited copies of reports from November 2007 and a statement taken from Inspector Taliana by police inspector Karl Haber. “The most important thing, however is the note from the police file which says that Taliana was moonlighting as a bouncer in Pacevile, imported firearms and had taken part in the arson of a residence. This note was written before my meeting with Rizzo.”

According to one report exhibited by Balzan, Taliana had been a doorman at the XS club in Victoria, Gozo. Investigations also showed that Taliana had two ID cards, one for Malta and one for Gozo.

Balzan exhibited a series of photos of Taliana in the company of several known criminals, some of whom were jailed for drugs offences, others for theft. “These are all in the possession of the police, but these things remain hidden. I do not know what has been done with regards to these issues.”

The defence attempted to derail the defendant’s testimony, asking whether he was aware of when Taliana was made inspector. Balzan said that he did not know, but “what I know is that he was not worthy of being appointed inspector in the first place”.

It was at this point that Taliana’s lawyer Joe Zammit Maempel told the court that Balzan needed a psychiatrist. Balzan told the court if that was the case, then perhaps he should stop giving evidence. 

Zammit Maempel even proceeded to ask Balzan if his source had been Taliana’s estranged wife, to which Balzan answered that he would not reveal his source.