Mariano Riccio, the secessionist boss and alleged instigator of the double murder of Ciro Abrunzo ("or Chinese") and Franco Gaiola, which occurred in Barra in 2012, faces life imprisonment. The request was made by prosecutor Maurizio De Marco of the Naples Anti-Mafia Department (DDA), following his closing arguments in the trial involving Riccio and the alleged perpetrators, Francesco Paolo Russo and Franco Bottino.
Riccio, in an attempt to access restorative justice, had dissociated himself from the facts and had asked for forgiveness from the families of the victims. His request, however, was rejected by the investigating judge Marrone.
The murder of Abrunzo and Gaiola – as Il Roma recalls – was one of the bloodiest episodes of the third Scampia feud. To carry it out, Riccio devised a singular plan: the killers disguised themselves as Asìa operators so as not to arouse suspicion. On June 21, 2012, Russo and Bottino, aboard a fake Asìa van, reached Abrunzo and Gaiola in Barra and killed them with gunshots.
The investigations, coordinated by the DDA of Napoli and conducted by the Naples Flying Squad, led to the arrest of Riccio, Russo and Bottino in 2022. The investigation was based on the statements of 11 informants and on old and new investigations.
The trial is underway before the preliminary hearing judge Nicola Marrone, who will issue the sentence on April 29. Riccio, Francesco Paolo Russo, known as “Cicciariello,” and Franco Bottino deny all charges, but a dramatic turn of events is not excluded.
In addition to life imprisonment for the three defendants, the prosecution also requested compensation for damages from the civil parties.
EDITORIAL TEAM
Choose the social channel you want to subscribe to