Karl Vella Petroni Granted Bail: Barred From Driving And Must Provide Urine Samples
Karl Vella Petroni, who is on trial for allegedly having unintentionally killed two motorcyclists, has been granted bail under the condition that he does not drive any vehicle while criminal proceedings are ongoing.
He must also submit himself – twice daily – to urine testing for alcohol and drugs.
Vella Petroni was allegedly under the influence of alcohol, cannabis, and cocaine at the time of the fatal incident, which occurred on Mosta’s Triq iż-Żejfa.
41-year-old Both Ali Abbas and 33-year-old Faizan Muhammad, two of Malta’s residents and workers, originally from Pakistan, were killed by wounds sustained during the collision.
According to eyewitnesses who gave testimony prior to Vella Petroni’s bail being granted, at roughly 5.50am, the Smart car he was driving veered into the wrong lane and crashed into a Yamaha motorcycle being ridden by Ali Abbas and Muhammad, killing both.
41-year-old Vella Petroni, a resident of Mellieħa, is on trial for having involuntarily killed both men. He is pleading not guilty.
His defense counsel requested bail on two occasions prior to having their request granted. On May 8th and June 2nd, Lawyers Charles Mercieca and Gianluca Caruana Curran requested bail but were refused.
The first request was not explained with a reason, while the second was refused on the grounds that this incident had not been Vella Petroni’s first drunk-driving violation, and that he could potentially pose a further threat to others on the road.
The third, most recent request for bail was granted under stringent conditions after the accused’s father gave testimony. Vella Petroni will have to sign a bail book once a day and will have to abide by 7am to 9pm curfew – whilst also providing urine samples twice a day.
These samples will be tested for any trace of drugs and alcohol.
The court has upheld the request for bail against a deposit and personal guarantee of €10,000 from both Vella Petroni and his father, who testified in his favour and said he would provide his son with accommodation.
Perhaps most importantly, Vella Petroni will not be allowed to drive any car or motorcycle until criminal proceedings have concluded.
What do you make of these bail conditions?
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