An anesthesiologist with a conviction for multiple homicides was briefly employed at the emergency room of the San Leopoldo Mandic hospital in Merate, Italy, before being suspended, officials confirmed on February 27, 2026.
Vincenzo Campanile, 53, originally from Monfalcone in the province of Gorizia, worked as a temporary physician, or “gettonista,” at the hospital on February 24th and 25th. His employment was terminated immediately after the hospital administration learned of his prior conviction, according to a statement released by the Lecco ASST (Azienda Socio Sanitaria Territoriale).
Campanile was convicted in appeal to 17 years and 3 months in prison for the deaths of nine patients. The convictions stem from incidents between 2014 and 2018, while he was working with the 118 emergency medical service in Trieste. Prosecutors alleged that Campanile administered lethal injections of propofol, a powerful sedative, to elderly patients suffering from serious illnesses. He maintained that his actions were intended to alleviate suffering, characterizing them as “sedation palliativa caritatevole” – charitable palliative sedation.
The initial trial in Trieste resulted in a sentence of 15 years and 7 months, with the court citing “moral reasons” as a mitigating factor. However, the appeals court overturned that decision, increasing the sentence and rejecting the claim of acting out of moral considerations. Campanile was found responsible for voluntary manslaughter in seven of the eleven cases brought before the court.
The hospital hired Campanile through an external cooperative to address staffing shortages. His legal ability to continue practicing medicine while awaiting a potential appeal to the Court of Cassation – Italy’s highest court – allowed him to be legally employed, despite a previous precautionary suspension by the medical order. The medical order subsequently reinstated him pending a final judgment.
The case has prompted scrutiny of the procedures for vetting temporary medical staff and the legal complexities surrounding convicted professionals who maintain their licenses while pursuing appeals. The Lecco ASST has not commented on whether its vetting process will be reviewed.
