Prosecution warned in Melvin Theuma's phantom job case
The prosecution in criminal proceedings concerning Melvin Theuma’s phantom job could not rest its case on Wednesday because lawyers from the Attorney General’s office had not yet checked testimonies given a fortnight ago. This meant they could not tell if further evidence needed to be compiled. That declaration by the prosecuting inspectors triggered a lengthy rebuttal by one of the defence lawyers whose minuted arguments were jointly taken up by the other lawyers who requested the court to declare the prosecution’s evidence closed. A decision on that is to be taken by presiding Magistrate Monica Vella who wrapped up Wednesday’s brief hearing with a clear warning to the prosecution. “The court is making it clear to both the prosecution and the AG’s office that such behaviour as manifested today, is not acceptable,” said Magistrate Vella. Case files kept within the court’s chambers were accessible to all lawyers, both defence and prosecution. “This court’s chamber was never closed to any lawyer,” remarked the magistrate, turning down a suggestion to notify the AG’s office of Wednesday’s outcome. That was not the normal practice adopted by the court in any other case and “no...