Taxi driver will not be charged with Paceville murder - prosecution

Charges will not be issued against taxi driver Robert Aquilina for the murder of Mario Galea in Paceville in August last year, the prosecution told the Court today. 47-year-old Mr Galea had been repeatedly hit on the head and kicked in a fight that was recorded by CCTV cameras. At one time he fell on his knees and was pulled by his long hair onto the pavement opposite the Frank Salt offices, where he was again repeatedly punched, before collapsing unconscious. The CCTV had also shown a taxi coming around the corner, slowing down before turning the corner, and running over the body. Police inspector Keith Arnaud told Magistrate Neville Camilleri this morning that taxi driver Robert Aquilina would not be charged over the murder. However, he had been charged with traffic related offences regarding the incident. Lawyers Michael and Lucio Sciriha and Giannella de Marco, appearing for Joe Zahra of St Julians and Brian Cini of Victoria, the men charged with the murder, reserved the right to file a challenge to the Police Commissioner to have Mr Aquilina charged in connection with the death.