The Catania Court of Assizes of Appeal upheld the 30-year prison sentence against Veronica Panarello, accused of the murder and concealment of the body of her 8-year-old son Loris Stival, killed in Santa Croce Camerina, in the province of Ragusa, on November 29, 2014. The panel, presided over by Rosario Cuteri and associate judge Stefania Scarlata, ruled after a deliberation that began shortly before 1:00 PM and lasted approximately four and a half hours. The prosecution, represented by Deputy Prosecutor General Maria Aschettino, requested the sentence. Defense counsel Francesco Villardita, however, requested an acquittal on the grounds of non-compliance, "also due to the contradictory and insufficient evidence." The defendant was present. "It's your fault, I'll kill you with my own hands. Are you happy now?" Veronica Panarello reacted in this way, shouting at her father-in-law in court after the Catania Court of Assizes of Appeal upheld her thirty-year prison sentence for the murder of her son, Loris. She has always maintained that Andrea Stival murdered the child because he had discovered their alleged relationship.
"From what we all understood - the woman's defense attorney, Francesco Villardita, said - Veronica was angry with her father-in-law, who she believes is responsible for the murder of her son. Afterwards she said this to me: 'From now on there will be no more discounts for anyone since I have not had justice, I will take justice into my own hands. When I get out of prison I will kill him'. These are sentences that can be used in a moment of despair even if they cannot justify. We must understand her state of mind".
EDITORIAL TEAM
Choose the social channel you want to subscribe to