The night that transformed the lives of many, here in the province of Pescara, also changed his. The colonel of the Carabinieri who convinced his son to give up the role of the rebel and rely on the police has squared the circle. But maybe it wasn’t enough. The young man’s position is being examined by investigators today, the Pescara flying squad will decide what to do in the next few hours. It helps that the young man helped track down the victim’s body by providing investigators with useful information.
Colonel, you head an important department of the Army. Her son is a friend of the boys who committed a murder, as well as a witness to the facts. Does she absolve herself?
«Not only do I not absolve myself as a father, but I say that no adult here can really absolve himself. And I say that perhaps it is worse than how you are representing it.”
Worse?
«I will resort to believer’s words, borrowed from the Catholic faith. Whoever points the finger commits a sin.”
Will he take action against his son?
«Yes, I would like my son to live by improving his life from now on».
(The soldier, reached with difficulty on the telephone amidst many ordinary commitments and daily obligations, has the resolute and cracked voice of someone who finds himself fighting in the knowledge that he may not prevail).
How can you give your son a future now?
“My son will live a life as a consignee, as we say. I want him to keep in mind what happened over time, to keep alive the memory of the boy he saw die and to be worthy of it.”
Is it a sort of perpetual respect for the victim?
“Yes, this is it.”
Have you lost track of the situation?
«Here I can only say that it is very difficult to judge, I ask you to put yourself in my shoes».
Was he checking or not?
“Certainly. I asked him where he went and what he did, who his friends were and how they spent their time but…”.
But?
«The answer was reassuring and in some ways deceptive. He would tell me “I’m going out with my friend, the son of a lawyer” or “I’m seeing that other guy, the son of one of your colleagues”. Should I have investigated further? Should I not have settled?”.
There is a lot of talk about cell phones, there is a debate about the role of social media.
«It’s true and it’s also appropriate that we talk about it but there are no certainties here either. Can I add something?”.
Say.
«Unlike many, I appreciate the role of information because we all need it greatly. I can only hope that those who do that job, those who inform, know how to find the delicacy needed to bear witness to such a sad story.”
