Attack on a doctor and a nurse. In the emergency room of the Sant'Anna and San Sebastiano hospital in Caserta, an episode of violence led to the conviction of two brothers, Emanuele and Gennaro Coppola, originally from Caserta. The two were found guilty of physically attacking a nurse and the doctor Domenico Natale, who also serves as a city councilor in the capital.
Article Key Points
The trial, which was held with an abbreviated procedure, ended with a sentence of three years and eight months for Emanuele Coppola and four years and four months for Gennaro Coppola. The judge for the preliminary hearing, Giovanni Caparco, excluded the aggravating circumstance of very serious injuries for both defendants. The abbreviated procedure guaranteed a reduction in sentence of one third, but provided that the sentence was based exclusively on the evidence gathered during the investigations.
The facts
The attack dates back to August 2020, when the two brothers went to the hospital after one of them was injured in a car accident. While waiting, they began to rant against the healthcare staff, in particular against the doctor Domenico Natale and a passing nurse, who were busy treating a patient who tested positive for COVID-19.
After an initial exchange of shouts and insults, the situation degenerated. The nurse, who had tried to calm the brothers, was violently attacked with punches and slaps. Even the injured brother, initially sitting in a wheelchair, joined in the beating.
The attack caused serious injuries to the nurse, who was hospitalized with a reserved prognosis of five days. In addition, the man suffered permanent damage to his hearing, with a significant decrease in hearing functions, as confirmed by the expert report of the consultant appointed by the Prosecutor's Office, Dr. Omero Pinto.
The case represents a serious example of violence against health workers, sparking outrage in the local community and renewing attention on the need to ensure greater safety in hospitals.
Article published on 11 December 2024 - 20:27
