Five convictions for the occupation of a council house in Trani. This is the verdict issued by judge Marina Chiddo of the Court of Trani, which put an end to a long and troubled trial. The episode, which occurred on 20 June 2018, shocked the city and brought the problem of illegal occupations to the fore.
On 20 June 2018, MM, ES, T. and MO, together with EP, illegally entered a public housing apartment in Via NL. The house belonged to Felice Gusmai, an 89-year-old elderly man, hospitalized at the time of the occupation.
Five convictions for the occupation of a council house in Trani. MM, ES, T. and MO were sentenced to eight months in prison with a suspended sentence, while Elisabetta Patruno received a more severe sentence: two years, two months and twenty days in prison and a fine of 3,000 euros. All the defendants were found guilty of continuous trespassing.
The Municipality of Trani, acting as a civil party, obtained compensation for damages, which will be quantified in civil proceedings. Felice Gusmai’s children, forced to move their father to a facility in Margherita di Savoia, also suffered serious consequences. After being discharged from hospital, Felice was never able to return to his home and his health worsened, leading to his death in March 2019.
Judge Marina Chiddo underlined the gravity of the situation, defining the occupation as “one of the most dramatic” ever seen in Trani. The reasons for the sentence will be made known within 90 days, but disturbing details are already emerging about the methods of the occupation: forced locks, damaged walls and threats to the victim’s family.
Five convictions for the occupation of a council house in Trani are a strong signal against those who think they can violate the law with impunity. The story of Felice Gusmai is a sad testimony of how the fragility of elderly people can be exploited in an ignoble way.
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