Trial Postponed Following Judge’s Son’s Death; Sentencing Now Set for September 22nd
tempio Pausania, Sardinia – The sentencing in the trial of Ciro Grillo, Francesco Corsiglia, Vittorio Lauria, and Edoardo Capitta, accused of group rape, has been postponed until September 22nd following the tragic death of Judge Marco Contu’s twenty-year-old son. The son died after being struck by a metro train in Rome.
The news deeply impacted those present at the Tempio Pausania courthouse this morning, including court staff, lawyers, and magistrates. Judge Marcella Pinna, presiding over the trial alongside Judge Alessandro Cossu, announced the postponement, stating the need to “find a solution” in light of the circumstances. The court president, Dr. Interlandi, requested the trial be rescheduled quickly, before Judge Cossu’s departure for a new position at the Court of Asti on September 8th.
Defense lawyer Alessandro Vaccaro expressed the defense team’s “pain” over Judge Contu’s loss and announced their refusal to proceed with the trial if it were to be held tomorrow,deeming it “unthinkable and unacceptable” to expect participation so soon after such a personal tragedy. Vaccaro criticized the court president for initially suggesting a hearing could be held the day after the death.
President Interlandi later denied proposing a hearing for tomorrow, stating she was not present at the initial proceedings and declined further comment.Despite the disruption, the prosecution, led by prosecutor Gregorio Capasso, maintains it’s request for a nine-year prison sentance for each of the four defendants: Ciro Grillo, Francesco Corsiglia, Vittorio Lauria, and Edoardo Capitta. The sentencing will now take place on September 22nd, with the alleged victim present.
