Where Are They Now? A Look At Where Malta’s Alleged Femicide Murderers From The Last Five Years Ended Up
Over the last few days, Malta has been trying to process the most recent femicide and domestic violence murder – after 40-year-old Bernice Cassar was allegedly shot by her husband in broad daylight.
With the spotlight once again on cases of domestic violence and femicides on the island, Malta’s judicial system is facing serious criticism, with many noting its lack of effectiveness and efficiency.
Oftentimes, court cases take years just to even begin, with a number of alleged murderers currently running free after being granted bail.
Lovin Malta has looked into where Malta’s alleged murderers from the last five years are now – and it’s shocking to see that some of them have not even completed trial yet.
This list covers alleged murderers related to domestic violence and femicide from 2018 to 2022.
2022
Roderick Cassar
Cassar allegedly murdered his wife and the mother of his children Bernice Cassar, after he shot her three times in front of her workplace in Paola.
Cassar has just been charged with her murder and pleaded not guilty in court. However, he did not request bail and instead asked to stay within a forensic unit.
Lawrence Abina
Abina allegedly strangled his partner 49-year-old Rita Ellul while in Gozo after he suspected that she was cheating on him.
Abina didn’t request bail upon being charged with her murder and denied the charges.
Abner Aquilina
Aquilina allegedly brutally raped and murdered Paulina Dembska, a Polish girl who was feeding the cats at Independence Gardens in Sliema at the time of the murder.
He pleaded not guilty to the charges. Aquilina is currently being held between Malta’s prison and the Mount Carmel criminal section.
2020
Justin Borg
Borg allegedly stabbed his ex-partner and mother of his children Chantelle Chetcuti outside a bar in Żabbar. He pleaded not guilty to the charges made against him and requested bail.
He has been out on bail for the last two years and also went on a holiday in October 2022 to Milan to watch a football game.
2019
Joseph Bonnici
Bonnici was accused of murdering his mother and sister Marija Lourdes and Angele Bonnici in their home in Għaxaq.
Three years after the murder occurred, he was sentenced to 36 years in prison after pleading guilty to the double murder and is currently serving his sentence.
2018
Michael Emmanuel
Emmanuel was accused of strangling his partner Lourdes Agius with a crucifix back in 2018. He pleaded insanity but the court rejected his plea. However, Emmanuel appealed the decision taken on his insanity plea.
The case has not yet been closed and sources confirmed he is still in police custody and was never granted bail. The next hearing will take place in December.
Jelle Rijpma
Rijpma stabbed his ex-girlfriend, Shannon Mak, in the neck back in 2018 outside her Santa Venera apartment.
He was sentenced to 30 years in prison and is currently serving his sentence.
Kevin Micallef
Micallef allegedly stabbed his mother and aunt, Antonia Micallef and Maria Carmela Fenech, to death in their Għargħur family home in July 2018.
He filed an application pleading insanity at the time the crime was committed.
While the majority of mentioned murderers have been sentenced, it’s alarming to see that some cases from five years ago have still not been closed.
It’s even more shocking when Malta’s court allows an alleged murderer with sufficient evidence to have committed the crime to leave the island while on bail to go and watch his favourite football team play.
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