'Mum died without seeing justice': Daphne's sister speaks out as trial continues
Mandy Mallia spoke of the pain of the family following the journalist's assassination
On the third day of the long-awaited trial over the murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia, one of the journalist's sisters spoke about the lasting impact the case has had on her family.
"Mummy died without seeing justice served, while Daddy- who is in his late eighties- still follows every little detail about Daphne online, after having spent years sitting in court (along with Mummy) inches away from his eldest daughter's assorted murderers," Mandy Mallia said in a Facebook post.
Rose Vella died back in August 2023 following an illness. A mother of four, she found herself thrust into national prominence following her daughter's assassination in 2017.
Vella had once testified that she had been constantly worried about her daughter's safety, and that she had suffered a stroke after her daughter's death.
Despite health issues, Vella campaigned tirelessly for justice for her murdered daughter, attending monthly vigils and court hearings related to the case and leading protest marches from the front.
Mallia's post included a photo of her sister, sharing a moment with their father at a "happy family gathering" at Mallia's home in June 2003.
"THIS is Daphne, who was a living, breathing human being before the contract put out on her life was executed on Monday the 16th of October at 2.58pm."
"Justice for Daphne can't come soon enough. Malta must step up."
She said the family must now sit through recordings of Fenech telling the middleman that her sister "must not end up like Romeo Bone" and that her bomb should be powerful enough to kill her, not just maim her.
On Thursday, the court heard Attorney General prosecutor Anthony Vella say Fenech was the person who set the murder in motion, financed it and applied pressure until it was carried out. He told the jury how had Fenech not paid for her murder, the journalist would still be alive.