Malian murder case interrupted

The court case against soldiers who stand accused of killing Malian migrant Abdalla Mohammed was interrupted today after defence counsel Joe Giglio protested that new details should not be given at this stage of proceedings but during presentation of evidence and cross examination. He made his protest after Police Inspector  Anthony Cachia told the court that Detention Officer Mark Cuschieri had told the police that he had heard one of the accused, Sgt  Mark Anthony Dimech, say that he too had hit the migrant a couple of time after he bit him. Dr Giglio said that Inspector Cachia should have revealed this when he was facing cross examination.   He requested an interruption of proceedings and asked the court for a transcript of Cuschieri's statement to the police. Sgt Mark Anthony Dimech, 44 of Gżira and Gunner Clive Cuschieri, 29 of Paola stand accused of having killed the migrant in a Detention Service van on the night of June 29-30. To date, the court had heard how Sgt Dimech had held the migrant, who was subsequently allegedly beaten by Clive Cuschieri. The case continues on September 20.