Fresh charges against driver accused of cyclist's death

A driver accused of the manslaughter of a cyclist last summer is now also facing charges relating to another traffic accident in 2007.

Anthony Taliana, 21, of Ħamrun, is facing court proceedings over the involuntary homicide of cyclist Clifford Micallef, drink driving, driving a car without insurance cover and relapsing, after having been convicted of dangerous driving a few years ago.

A traffic expert had told the court Mr Taliana had been driving at 114kph when he allegedly hit Mr Micallef as he was riding his bike on the Coast Road in Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq at 5.15 a.m. on July 30.

Mr Taliana is now also being charged with causing serious injuries to Rachelle Dingli Attard on December 1, 2007, when he was involved in a traffic accident while driving a Mazda MX5. He also stands charged with dangerous and negligent driving on that day.

The third new charge is for over speeding on the day he allegedly caused Mr Micallef's death.

The court had heard that the 2007 accident surfaced during investigations into the July road fatality. In the garage where the damaged Opel Astra allegedly involved in the fatal accident was found, the police also found a badly-damaged Mazda MX5, which investigations revealed had been involved in an unreported accident in 2007.

In a previous court sitting, when this information emerged, the court had ordered court expert Mario Scerri to examine Ms Dingli Attard and her medical records.

Dr Scerri testified yesterday that Ms Dingli Attard, who was 17 at the time was hospitalised on December 1, 2007 and released two days later. She still had visible marks on her face, he said.

The defence lawyers filed an application requesting the revocation of the house arrest of the accused, which was one of the bail conditions, saying it was "useless at this point".

Magistrate Audrey Demicoli decided to wait for the Attorney General to reply before deciding.

The case continues on December 11.

Police Inspector Kevin Farrugia prosecuted.

Lawyers Michael Schiriha and Ian Farrugia appeared for the accused.

Lawyer Giannella Caruana Curran appeared parte civile for the Micallef family.