Suspected Killer Of Bernice Cilia Reportedly Set To Plead Guilty
The estranged husband of Bernice Cilia, Roderick Cassar, is reportedly in talks with the Attorney General’s office over a possible plea bargain that could see him admit to her murder, according to Newsbook sources.
Cassar, who stands charged with killing Cilia in November 2022, is accused of shooting the mother of his two children at close range as she drove to work in Corradino. He faces 15 charges, including murder, harassment, stalking, and theft of her phone.
Sources said Cassar’s defence team has initiated discussions to reach a plea deal – a move that would see him avoid a jury trial.
According to court evidence, Cassar lay in wait for Cilia before confronting and fatally shooting her, later barricading himself inside their Qrendi home during a 17-hour standoff before being arrested.
Cilia had filed several domestic violence reports, including one after Cassar allegedly held a knife to her throat in front of their children. On the eve of the murder, she reported a Facebook post to the police which said that “revenge is a must.”
During pre-trial proceedings, Cassar challenged multiple pieces of evidence, including text messages, phone calls, and police reports, claiming they were hearsay or irrelevant. He also contested the legality of the harassment charge. However, Judge Neville Camilleri dismissed these claims, ruling that the evidence was admissible and the case should proceed to trial.
Cassar became the first man charged under Malta’s new femicide provision, introduced after Cilia’s murder. His multiple bail requests were denied, with the courts citing the gravity of the charges and doubts about his trustworthiness.
Under Maltese law, murder carries a life sentence, meaning imprisonment for the rest of one’s natural life. A plea bargain typically reduces a sentence by one degree, possibly resulting in a 40-year term, though this depends on various factors including the severity of the crime and criminal history.
Currently, 18 inmates in Malta are serving life sentences, the oldest aged 78 and the youngest 33.