Updated: Judge Ray Pace arraigned, accused of bribery and remanded in custody

Mr Justice Ray Pace was arraigned in court today and accused of bribery, conspiring to commit a crime and trading in influence. He appeared before Magistrate Audrey Demicoli, a day after he was arrested and questioned at police headquarters.  He pleaded not guilty and requested bail. The police objected. Sources said the case centres on attempts to bribe the judge to use his influence to increase the prison term of a man convicted in a drugs case. The issue is said to involve rival gangs. During the arguments on bail, defence counsel Stefano Filletti said bail was the rule, not the exception. The principle was that bail was coupled with the presumption of innocence. His client had no criminal record and up to yesterday he was respected as a man who meted out justice, so what had made him lose his credibility, the counsel argued. A video recording of the case could have been taken completely out of context, the defence said. Dr Pace should be granted bail because he would not prejudice his own case by speaking to witnesses. Even the other judges, Noel Arrigo and Patrick Vella were granted bail during their court proceedings. Superintendent Norbert Ciappara said the prosecution...