They were all acquitted of the most serious crimes, and Francis simply cannot accept this. On Monday afternoon the sentence of the second trial relating to the administrative responsibilities of the Lanterna Azzurra massacre in Corinaldo, the nightclub where a mother and five minors lost their lives on the night of 8 December six years ago. Among these there was also Benedetta, 15 years old, Francesco’s sister. A combative boy, who in recent years has had to face great tragedies, including the loss of his beloved mother to an illness.
“In six years I’ve been through a lot – he commented -, and I’ve always managed to find something to say. Today, however, I’m really struggling”. It’s the fault of that sentence – which in just a few hours is already arousing a certain amount of indignation -, of that full acquittal of the nine accused for the crimes of disaster and multiple manslaughter. Crimes which, according to the judge, do not exist. Only the convictions for forgery remain, but for those who lost a loved one that night this is – to use hyperbole – half justice.
“I feel as if today were another December 8th – declared Francis -, as if they had killed my sister once again. And unfortunately it is a feeling that is being aroused in me by people who instead should have protected her, with a sentence that should have made the his death was a lesson. Unfortunately, however, quite the opposite happened.”
Francesco said he was very disappointed, nervous, embittered, sad. And it would be noticeable if he too had not expressly pronounced all these adjectives. For once his words flow slowly, albeit – as always – precise and acute. Despite the discouragement of the moment, however, Benedetta’s brother still manages to find a glimmer of light. A distant hope, which hopefully becomes concrete. “I almost feel like apologizing to my sister for what happened today – he commented -, because it is inconceivable. I hope that justice, at the end of everything, can be on our side, even if today is a huge disappointment I hope I can find the strength to continue doing everything I have done so far, to get what my sister deserves, and to ensure that they no longer trample on her dignity.”
