Camorra, Davide Francescone's life sentence cancelled: possible mitigation of sentence

LThe fifth criminal section of the Court of Cassation has annulled for the second time the life sentence of the alleged Secondigliano Camorra killer, Davide Francescone, accused of the murder of Antonio Landieri and five attempted murders which took place in Naples on 6 November 2004.

Francescone was accused of having committed the crimes in the context of the feud between the Scampia and Secondigliano clans at the time of the split of the Di Lauro clan. In the first instance, in 2018, he was sentenced to life imprisonment. The sentence was confirmed on appeal in 2021.

First annulment and new trial

In February 2023, the Court of Cassation overturned the conviction due to a defect related to the aggravating circumstance of recidivism, ordering a new appeal trial. In this second appeal trial, the Court of Naples once again confirmed the life sentence.

Second cancellation and possibility of mitigation of the sentence

Yesterday evening, the Court of Cassation once again overturned the life sentence, ordering a third appeal. The Supreme Court has established that the new trial must address both the aggravating circumstance of recidivism and the penalty in general. This opens the possibility for Francescone to obtain a reduction in the sentence, which may no longer be life imprisonment.

The reasons of the Supreme Court

The reasons for the new cassation have not yet been filed. However, it is possible to assume that the Court has deemed there to be further defects in the appeal ruling, such as to affect the determination of the sentence.

The defense's comment

Lawyer Dario Vannetiello, who defends Franciscan, expressed satisfaction with the annulment of the life sentence. “We are confident that the new appeal process will lead to a fair resolution of the case,” the lawyer said.

The case of Davide Francescone is complex and has had a long and troubled judicial history. The annulment for the second time of the life sentence represents a new twist in this trial and opens new scenarios for Francescone's future.