Stagno Navarra blames sciatica for absence as court demands medical proof
Witness misses hearing again in hate speech case involving Andrew Borg Cardona
A court has ordered Karl Stagno Navarra to present a medical certificate within two days after he failed to appear a second time in criminal proceedings against lawyer Andrew Borg Cardona.
In October, Borg Cardona appeared in court to face hate speech charges, but the case could not proceed after Stagno Navarra failed to appear.
Borg Cardona is accused of inciting hatred after allegedly posting a comment on Facebook asking: “Can we make euthanasia compulsory for Labour trolls?”
On Tuesday morning, the court was informed that lawyer Rachel Tua called to inform that she would be unable to attend Tuesday morning’s sitting due to the bad weather.
She also informed that Stagno Navarra could not attend due to "sciatica pain".
Defence lawyer Kris Busietta observed that this was the second time that Stagno Navarra failed to appear in these summary proceedings, adding that in the previous sitting he had asked the court to halt them following the complainant's no-show. Stagno Navarra is a former journalist and ONE TV presenter whose name has been in the news over different court cases.
Busietta added that Stagno Navarra – who is a witness in these proceedings and not an injured party – should be ordered to present a medical certificate.
Referring to the last sitting, Busietta stressed there is a recording which proves that Stagno Navarra had been informed of the case over the phone by the prosecuting inspector.
“Everyone is equal before the law,” the lawyer remarked, adding that if these summary proceedings were to be adjourned yet another time, Stagno Navarra should present a medical certificate justifying his absence.
Defence lawyer Jason Azzopardi told the court the defence had previously filed an application, which was upheld by the court, in which the recording of the phone call between police inspector James Mallia and Stagno Navarra himself was recorded. In that recording, Mallia gave the witness the next court date.
“That recording will show who is saying the truth and who is lying to tarnish an inspector’s reputation,” Azzopardi said.
“It is only fair that the case is dropped,” the defence added, with defence lawyer Alessandro Farrugia pointing out that as a witness, Stagno Navarra cannot be assisted by a lawyer while testifying.
Police inspector John Sammut informed the court that the police did not manage to serve Stagno Navarra at the address provided. He explained that the residence in Sliema is currently occupied by Belgian students and the tenants of another property in Żebbuġ told the police that Stagno Navarra moved to “somewhere unknown”.
In the circumstances, the court ordered that a white medical certificate is presented in court within two days.
“Sciatica pain did not prevent Stagno Navarra from posting online this morning,” Busietta remarked.
Magistrate Giannella Camilleri Busuttil presided.
Police inspector John Sammut prosecuted.
Lawyers Jason Azzopardi, Kris Busietta and Alessandro Farrugia appeared for Borg Cardona.