The families of the victims of a brutal double homicide have spoken out against suspected murderer Daniel Muka’s consistent and successful attempts at postponing justice.

“He can’t keep breaking the law and making a fool out of the justice system,” the family told Lovin Malta.

The victims of the brutal crime were Christian Pandolfino and his partner Ivor Piotr Maciejowski.

The tragic incident occurred three years ago on 18th August at around 10.15 pm, when the two men were shot and murdered in a suspected robbery at their home in Locker Street, Sliema.

Muka’s trial was set for this morning until it had to be postponed to April 2024 due to the suspect refusing his state lawyer, Dr Simon Micallef Stafrace. This is the second time the trial was postponed.

The trial was initially scheduled for May 2023, but it was postponed after Muka’s lawyers renounced the brief.

Sources have alleged to Lovin Malta that Stafrace was threatened by the suspect who did not want him advocating his case. However, Stafrace denied these claims when questioned by Malta Today.

Nonetheless, Lovin Malta spoke with the legal team of the families and confirmed that the “relationship between the legal aid lawyer and Muka was untenable,” meaning that it cannot by any means be sustained.

With regards to the claims of threats, the families explained that “they cannot confirm this. However, the frustration is coming from the fact that Stafrace was appointed last May and they left it to one working day before the jury to do this.”

The couple’s loved ones have had to prepare for two different trial dates and have been sorely disappointed each time. Members from both of the victims’ families even travelled from abroad just to be present in court.

“We had loads of people waiting for the jury selection. If everyone uses this tactic, we are easily adding another year to each court case,” the families explained.

Malta’s justice system is notoriously slow. Therefore, prolonging important trials only lengthens an already arduous and grief-filled process for families who are simply seeking justice.

“All we want is a swift conclusion to these cases, bearing in mind that Chris’ parents are 87 years old and want to see the due process before they pass away,” the families desperately explained.

“We understand that the judge had no choice, but the system is flawed.”

“He is dragging out the case as much as possible hoping that at some stage he will manage to get bail – bearing in mind that he already managed to do this before.” 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.

“This tactic of his changing lawyers at the last minute has been used by Muka since the compilation stage. We are extremely disappointed because this is the second time he managed to postpone a jury.”

In the meantime, Muka has made several bail requests, the most recent one being denied last week.

What do you make of the latest development in this ongoing court case?