The man who killed Pelin Kaya in January 2023 has pleaded guilty to murder following a plea deal agreement with ‘all parties’
Jeremie Camilleri pleads guilty to murdering Pelin Kaya
Jeremie Camilleri spontaneously but intentionally ran over the Turkish woman when speeding down Testaferrata Street in Gżira on 18 January 2023.
He then threw stones at the lifeless body of the woman who had been walking back home from a friend’s place on her 30th birthday.
The 34-year-old man from Ħal Lija was drunk and under the effects of cocaine.
Pelin Kaya was rushed to hospital but soon died from the grievous injuries suffered.
On Monday, Camilleri admitted to the killing, reversing his initial not guilty plea to charges of wilful homicide.
His defence lawyers told the court that they had reached an agreement with “all parties”, including the victim’s family.
Court reporters described Camilleri as “speaking calmly and clearly” as he confirmed his guilty plea before Magistrate Rachel Montebello.
The case will now be referred to a criminal court where a judge will sentence him.
Sister: ‘I feel no relief’
The sister of the murder victim, Derya Kaya, wrote in her first reaction on Instagram: “You’re a murderer, murderer, murderer!”
She later said she felt no relief and that Camilleri, who she described as a “devil”, deserved to spend the rest of his life in prison.
Shazoo Ghaznavi, one of the family’s lawyers, said the guilty plea would at least spare the family the pain of having to travel to Malta for further court hearings.
