Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/740013
5 maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 19 OCTOBER 2016 News Cassone murder: Retired police officials say 23 years 'needed' to build solid case Commission calls on parties to address democratic deficit CONTINUES FROM PAGE 1 The sys- tem could be introduced over a number of years and, for each electoral level, would target at least a 30% representation of each sex in party electoral lists for the coming elections; at least 40% representation of each sex in party electoral lists for the following elections; and at least 50% representation of each sex in party electoral lists in all sub- sequent elections. "Lists that are not in line with this rule should be rejected by the Electoral Commission," the NCPE said. "The introduction of a per- manent system that ensures gender-balance in political de- cision-making will spur national institutions, political parties and civil society to become leaders for change and address those so- cial, cultural and structural bar- riers that hinder women's politi- cal participation." The NCPE said that such bar- riers include a male-dominated environment that makes it hard- er for women to participate and succeed, a predominantly male incumbency, lack of women candidates, direct and indirect discrimination in the choice of candidates and weak support structures for people with fam- ily responsibilities, as well as is- sues related to lack of financial resources and family support. "Equal gender representation in the political sphere is important to address a democratic deficit since the underrepresentation of one sex, currently women, effec- tively means that women are not fully included in the democratic processes." Citing former UN Women Executive Director Michelle Bachelet, the NCPE said that the participation of both women and men will lead to "more equitable laws and social programmes and budgets that benefit women and children and families". YOUR FIRST CLICK OF THE DAY www.maltatoday.com.mt Former assistant police boss Emmanuel Cassar and commissioner John Rizzo say police required years 'to build a solid case' before issuing charges in 2006 relating to the murder of Italian national Vittorio Cassone MATTHEW AGIUS FORMER police assistant com- missioner Emmanuel Cassar and commissioner John Rizzo have defended the 23-year wait to bring a murder case to trial, say- ing that the time taken was neces- sary to build the most solid case possible. The jury over the 1993 murder of Italian national Vittorio Cas- sone continued yesterday with the two retired police chiefs tes- tifying about the delay in pressing charges. A Maltese man is on tri- al, accused of shooting Cassone dead in a botched robbery at Chef Italy in St Julian's. 58-year-old Cassone had been serving patrons when a masked man emerged from a van that pulled up outside the restaurant and rushed in. Despite having handed over some Lm150 (€350), Cassone was shot in the chest by the escaping robber and died at the scene. The man accused of the murder is already in jail for other crimes, but cannot be named on order of the court due to the fact that he was 17 at the time he allegedly committed this crime. The ex-police chiefs testified yesterday, as the defence grilled them at length on the identifica- tion parades that had been car- ried out by the police. Yesterday morning, Cassar ex- plained that the restaurant's chef, Silvano D'Agostini, had picked out the accused as the perpetra- tor from a police line up. Lawyer Marion Camilleri argued that he had only said that the accused's face was the one that struck him the most. An argument arose as to whether the Italian had posi- tively identified the accused or whether this had been mistrans- lated but this was cut short by the judge. D'Agostini had testified during the inquiry that he had been "99% sure" that the man in the dock was the armed robber who shot his colleague. "In every ID parade that we had carried out, the accused was identified as the person who fired the shot," Rizzo said. "In fact, one witness had reacted angrily when he saw the accused... he wanted to attack the accused and we had to restrain him. There is always a little doubt though and we had decided to continue to investigate to eliminate as much doubt as possible." Both Rizzo and Cassar had ex- plained that the police had not arraigned the accused earlier, not because of doubts as to his guilt, but because they could not be sure that witnesses would not say the wrong thing, leading to the accused being cleared and then benefit from double jeopardy af- ter more solid evidence emerges. "I was responsible and I believe I made the right decision," Cassar told the jury. Several of the defence's ques- tions centred around the figure of Victor Testa, who had also been arrested by police at the time in connection with the murder. Testa lived a 10 minute walk away from Ta' Giorni. Asked whether he had ever in- vestigated Testa, Cassar said he had. Testa had released a state- ment to police, but this was not exhibited in the acts of the case. The defence suggested that Tes- ta had tested positive for gunshot residue, but the witness contra- dicted this. "The testing machine was defective and out of order. Even if it had been working, the results would not be immediately available," he said. News reports from 2006 have inspector Chris Pullicino telling the inquiring magistrate that Tes- ta had claimed that the accused had called him, asking for a lift on the day of the shooting. While the vehicle was in motion, Testa had said, the passenger seated be- hind the driver had discharged a firearm from the driver's window. He said he had pulled over to the side and ordered the men to get out of his car. Inspector Pullicino had recalled Testa's alibi as being strong and so the police had start- ed considering other theories. Cross-examined in court, Rizzo said that although all the eye- witnesses had picked out the ac- cused, when pressed they all ex- pressed "that little bit of doubt." This was the reason why the ac- cused was not charged before. "They had that 0.1% doubt, they didn't have 100% certainty. Had one of said 'that is he, without question,' I would have charged him straight away." Mr Justice Antonio Mizzi ex- plained to the jury that it was en- tirely up to the police and the At- torney General to press charges. "The important thing is not sim- ply pressing charges, that is easy... they knew their case would not withstand the test of court [with the evidence they had at that point]. They didn't want a dis- charge before the compilation of evidence" as the evidence might be lost forever. The jury continues. Lawyers Kevin Valletta and Anne Marie Cutajar are prosecut- ing. Franco Debono and Marion Camilleri are defence counsel. Former senior police officials Emmanuel Cassar (left) and John Rizzo