Live blog: 'My life has ended' priest told lawyers as court to hear witnesses

The compilation of evidence against a Marsaxlokk priest accused of defrauding his parishioners out of hundreds of thousands of euro in donations has resumed.
Witnesses are expected to take the stand on Thursday to testify against Fr Luke Seguna, who denies charges of money laundering and misappropriation. The court is also expected to decide on a bail request for the 39-year-old, who claims the payments were made to him personally. The prosecution says he misappropriated some €500,000 donated by 150 parishioners over a 10-year span and that the money was intended for the Church.
A previous hearing heard how he amassed a collection of five motorbikes and two cars, held money in 10 bank accounts and spent almost €150,000 on three websites. 

LIVE BLOG

Marsaxlokk parish priest Fr Luke Seguna, right, and Archbishop of Malta Charles Scicluna. Photo: Facebook

Magistrate retires to chambers again10.54am After further legal argument on whether the Church should join the case as part civile, the magistrate again retires to her chambers to decide on the issue. 

'Where does the Church feature?'10.43am The defence is arguing against the Church being considered an injured party.  The...