Annulment with referral. Trial to be redone. This is the decision of the Sixth Criminal Section of the Court of Cassation on the case involving the former Environment Councilor of Santa Maria a Vico, Ernesto Savinelli, and Colonel Angelo Piscitelli, both originally from the municipality of Caserta. The new trial will be entrusted to a different criminal section of the Court of Appeal of Naples.
Contents
The Court of Cassation accepted the appeals presented by the lawyers Raffaele Carfora, Savinelli's defender, and Raffaele Crisileo, Piscitelli's lawyer, highlighting a flaw in motivation has always been misapplication of the law in the sentence of conviction issued in the second instance. The decision of the Court of Appeal of Naples, in turn confirming the conviction in the first instance inflicted by the Court of Santa Maria Capua Vetere, was therefore annulled for the two defendants.
The sentences and the context
The first instance trial, before the Sammaritan Tribunal presided over by Dr. Roberto Donatiello, had established the following penalties:
- 4 years and 6 months in prison for Ernesto Savinelli and Angelo Piscitelli,
- 4 years and 2 months' imprisonment for the surveyor Pio Affinita.
The story dates back to over ten years ago, when the Municipality of Santa Maria a Vico announced a large tender which, according to investigators, was made up in the context of an alleged system of aggravated corruption. The contract was won by a company linked to Angelo Grillo, currently detained on charges of complicity in murder in a separate proceeding.
The decisions of the Court of Cassation
The Supreme Court annulled the convictions for Savinelli and Piscitelli, postponing the trial for a new examination before the Court of Appeal of Naples. The judicial fate of Pio Affinita was different: the Court of Cassation confirmed the sentences on the merits of the first two levels of judgment, thus ratifying the conviction against him.
The Fate of Affinita
Pio Affinita is now awaiting the decision of the Surveillance Court of Naples, which will have to decide whether to apply the prison sentence or an alternative measure, such as house arrest.
The complex and intricate legal affair represents an open chapter in the political and administrative history of Santa Maria a Vico, with new developments expected in the coming months.
Article published on 11 January 2025 - 09:58
Video Chronicles
The Supreme Court's decision seems to have brought some confusion to the process, but it is important that it be redone to ensure fair justice. We hope that the new section can clarify things properly.