Camorra, sentence reduction in appeal for the boss of the Puca clan

A sentence reduction has been granted in the appeal trial for Antonio Paciolla, alias "'o Russ," considered by investigators to be linked to the Puca clan. The sentences handed down in the first instance against Francesco Bellomo, Antimo Di Biase, and Claudio Lamino, alias "'o Mericano," the latter a cooperating witness, were upheld. Before the third section of the Naples Court of Appeal, presided over by Judge Eugenia Del Balzo, the only appeal accepted was that of Antonio Paciolla, defended by attorney Dario Vannetiello, whose sentence was reduced from the eight-year sentence received in the first instance, which had been handed down through an abbreviated trial by investigating judge Anna Tirone, to six years and eight months. This is a substantial sentence reduction for Paciolla, who, according to the prosecution, was involved in extortion in the municipalities of Sant'Antimo, Grumo Nevano, and Casavatore. The sentences handed down in the first instance were upheld against Francesco Bellomo, who received 11 years and 8 months, Antimo Di Biase (6 years and 10 months), and Claudio Lamino: the latter, a collaborator with justice, will serve a sentence of 3 years and 4 months in prison. While awaiting the reasons for the sentence, which will be released within the next 45 days, it should be noted that the prosecutor had requested confirmation of the first-instance convictions for all. The charges are of participation in a criminal organization known as the Puca clan, operating in Sant'Antimo, Grumo Nevano, Casandrino, and neighboring municipalities. The defendants were supported by statements from informants Vincenzo and Antonio Marrazzo, Raffaele Tixon, Lamino himself, and, most importantly, statements made by the former alleged clan leader, Pasquale Puca.