Lawyer’s offer to represent rape suspect is rejected

A last-ditch offer by a lawyer to represent a rape suspect who found himself without legal counsel has been rejected. Lawyer Roberto Montalto yesterday morning asked Judge Michael Mallia’s deputy registrar if he could appear for Somali immigrant Omar Osman, who stands charged with complicity in rape. Mr Osman ended up without representation just before the start of a trial by jury earlier this week. Dr Montalto had been consulting Mr Omar with a view to taking over the case. He told the deputy registrar he would need a postponement to be able to prepare for the trial, particularly because the case was complex and the file very convoluted. However, the reply he got was that the trial was due to start. Instead, Mr Osman has been assigned legal aid lawyer Malcolm Mifsud, who himself has had no time to prepare for the trial which went ahead as scheduled yesterday. Mr Justice Mallia also ruled that the case would be heard behind closed doors. Mr Osman ended up without a lawyer after his former defence counsel Franco Debono formally relinquished on Friday afternoon. Dr Debono had notified his client almost a month ago but the latter did not manage to secure a replacement in time. Lawyer...