Trial Against Sliema Double Murder Suspects Starts Five Years After Crime
The trial against the two suspected killers of Christian Pandolfino and Ivor Maciejowski who were shot dead in their Sliema home has started today, Times of Malta reported.
Albanian national Daniel Muka (30) and Macedonian national Viktor Dragomanski (42) stand accused of the double murder that took place on 18th August 2020 in Locker Street, Sliema.
Muka is facing 10 counts including the murders of Pandolfino and Maciejowski, theft aggravated by violence that led to the murders, and the illegal possession of a firearm. He is also facing other minor charges.
Dragomanski is facing three counts that include complicity in carrying out the double murders and in the theft that led to the murders as well as making use of stolen number plates.
They are both pleading not guilty.
The trial is being presided over by Madam Justice Natasha Galea Sciberras and it began this morning. It is taking place before a jury that will hear evidence against the accused.
The jury will also hear the witness account from a third man, Jesper Kristiansen, who pleaded guilty to his involvement in the murder last year and was sentenced to 40 years in prison.
Earlier this year, Kristiansen testified during the compilation of evidence against Muka and Dragomanski, saying the planned burglary had gone horribly wrong.
He placed most of the blame on Muka, whom he had only recently met and who had suggested robbing a house that allegedly contained “a couple of kilos” of gold. On the day of the incident, the three used a white car with false plates, supplied by Muka. At the Sliema residence, Muka approached the door while Kristiansen hung back and Dragomanski stayed near the car. After someone opened the door, Kristiansen heard voices followed by popping sounds. When he rang the bell, Muka answered holding a pistol. The trio stole jewellery and fled.
Kristiansen later saw Muka on the news and, after his arrest, fled to Spain, where he was eventually arrested and extradited to Malta. He later admitted to his role in the crime.
Muka is being represented by Mario Mifsud and Josette Sultana, while Dragomanski is represented by Jose and Alex Scerri Herrera. Joe Giglio is appearing for the victims’ families. Prosecutors are Maria Francesca Spiteri and Kevin Valletta from the Attorney General’s office.
The families of the victims have spoken out multiple times about Muka’s intentional attempts at delaying the court process in the hopes that he would eventually manage to get bail.
It was when he was on bail for another crime involving attempted murder that Muka committed the alleged double homicide. He was granted bail the first time due to the 20-month limit. However, following the double murder, Muka was not successful in attaining bail.