Times: Lesbian attack case is still in suspended animation

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20120322/local/Lesbian-attack-case-is-still-in-suspended-animation.412172
Thursday, March 22, 2012 by Waylon Johnston

The case involving an alleged attack on a teenage lesbian couple cannot seem to get off the ground after it was deferred for a fourth time yesterday because one of the accused failed to turn up.

The court case, which seems to be riddled with problems, has only seen one witness enter the arena so far before difficulties and procedural correctness took over.

The issue centres on two girls, aged 15 and 16, who alleged they were attacked by two brothers, aged 15 and 17, who called them names when they saw them kissing last January.

The boys were arraigned along with a 35-year-old woman who allegedly got involved in the fight despite not being connected to the boys. The girls too were taken to court, accused of slightly injuring the boys.

In the first sitting, held on February 17, the 15-year-old boy failed to turn up because he was not notified and the case was deferred after a medical doctor gave evidence.

In the second sitting, held on February 28, two medical doctors were meant to testify but missed the sitting. After the 35-year-old woman’s daughters refused to testify, as is their right, the case was deferred.

On March 7, a no-show by the same doctors meant the case had to be put off again.

And during the sitting yesterday, although the doctors did turn up, the 35-year-old accused was absent. To prevent proceedings from being declared null, which would have to be done if the doctors do not testify in the presence of the accused, Magistrate Joseph Apap Bologna put the case off to mid-April.

Lawyer Cedric Mifsud appeared for the teenage girls while lawyers Michael and Lucio Sciriha are appearing for the brothers and the woman.

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