Not a Murderer After All? Sentence Against Priest Quashed

The Italian Court of Cassation has annulled a second-degree conviction handed down by the Trieste Court of Appeal which sentenced Father Paolo Piccoli to 21 years in prison (Ansa.it, March 17).

The general prosecutor also requested the annulment. Piccoli was found “guilty” of murdering Father Giuseppe Rocco, 92, who lived with him in a retirement home in Trieste in 2014.

The annulment was based on a violation of the rights of the defence, as the defendant's lawyers were not present at the time of the expert's report on blood traces.

Piccoli has always maintained his innocence. A new trial will take place in Venice.

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