Capital punishment in Malta : in-depth analysis of a death sentence : the trial of Aloysia [Giga] and [Leli] Camilleri (1961)

Abstract

This research study focuses on an in-depth study of the trial and subsequent death sentence received by Aloysia (Giga) Camilleri, following the brutal murder of her eight year old son Twannie Aquilina. This research work strives to establish the motive behind such murder, whether the accused was guilty and whether a just verdict was reached. Further researches into this case show that there are some doubts whether Giga was effectively guilty of committing the crime. Witnesses were not always credible. Other witnesses were still young children, with the main witness not only being young but being the daughter of the accused. Furthermore, evidence was not always presented in a coherent fashion. Lawyers at the time surely thought that something was wrong because not less than 80 of them signed a petition asking for a commutation of the death penalty into one of life imprisonment. This research shows that probably a miscarriage of justice did take place mainly due to the sensationalism brought about by the case and because of the stigma attached to the accused.