Blood samples at centre of drink-driving involuntary homicide cast in doubt

Blood samples taken from a young driver who stands accused of the involuntary homicide of his 22-year old friend in a drunk-driving accident three years ago in Nadur have been cast in doubt by the defence. Terence Tanti, the 24-year old driver, was behind the wheel of his blue Peugeot 106 in the early hours of New Year’s Day in 2015, driving a number of friends back from a private party in Nadur. Among these was Matthew Meilak, who lost his life when the car crashed into a wall and an electricity pole. The driver was charged with the involuntary homicide, as well as with driving under the influence of alcohol, causing serious injury to another passenger, dangerous driving and damaging the electricity pole. Read: Driver in New Year's Day traffic fatality was over the limit, court hears Court-appointed expert Michael Refalo, tasked with taking samples of the driver’s blood, had reported that that Mr Tanti had tested well in excess of the legal limit of 80mg/dL blood alcohol, the test having been held four hours after the fatal crash. The accused denied he had been driving under the influence of alcohol. During Friday’s sitting, forensic expert Mario Scerri was cross-examined...