Convicted murderer charged with 1984 homicide

Silvio Mangion, 40, of Zejtun, who is currently serving a 21-year prison sentence for murder, was yesterday charged with another murder, which ironically took place 21 years ago.

Mangion was yesterday charged with repeatedly stabbing and killing Rozina Zammit, holding her against her will, being in possession of a knife and of trying to steal up to Lm1,000.

At yesterday's hearing, Dr Renzo Porsella Flores, who was appointed legal aid, demanded bail and the court asked the prosecution to justify the arrest.

Inspector Christopher Pullicino said the accused had admitted his guilt in a statement and a legal argument ensued as to whether the accused should be granted bail, even though he was serving time in prison.

Dr Porsella Flores argued that the principle of freedom should prevail unless there were fears that a person would tamper with the evidence or leave the country.

The prosecution argued that the possibility of escape and absconding existed, more so as the man had no family. The prosecution also argued that there was caselaw about giving a prisoner rights of which he could not avail himself. Mangion would be released from prison in about nine years' time, the prosecution said.

In considering all the circumstances, the court denied the request for bail.

The accused had been jailed for 21 years after he pleaded guilty to killing his neighbour and attempting to kill his neighbour's sister.

Mangion had initially been charged on August 18, 1988. Inspector Carmelo Magri, who had investigated the case, had charged him with killing Frenç Cassar, 74, of Zejtun, and trying to kill his sister Guza Cassar on August 16. He was further accused of attempted theft and carrying a knife.

Mangion had pleaded insanity and was examined by psychiatrists who declared that he was not insane at the time but suffered from psychosis, probably because he was an alcoholic. His intelligence was also found to be sub-normal.

A jury was empanelled to decide about his state of mental health. This was held in November 2002 and jurors had rejected the insanity plea.

In his trial by jury in January 2004, Mangion had pleaded guilty and Mr Justice Joseph Galea Debono had handed down a 21-year jail term, minus the time he had spent in preventive custody.

Guza Cassar, who had survived the stabbing, had testified how Mangion repeatedly stabbed her and her brother and she had to have 54 stitches on her hand. She died just three days after Mangion was sent to jail.

Assistant Commissioner Emanuel Cassar, Superintendent Peter Paul Zammit and homicide squad inspector Christopher Pullicino prosecuted.

Dr Franco Debono and Charmaine Cherret appeared in parte civile.