Orta di Atella – Caserta journalist Mario De Michele, arrested on July 1st while stealing €5 from the former mayor of Orta di Atella, Angelo Brancaccio, has been released from prison.
The decision, issued yesterday by the twelfth section of the Naples Review Court, overturns the initial charge of extortion, accepting the defense argument presented by lawyer Mario Griffo.
The North Naples Prosecutor's Office had argued that the €5 was the price of blackmail plotted by De Michele against Brancaccio, aimed at preventing negative press articles from being published on the journalist's website. This version was vigorously contested by the defense.
According to lawyer Griffo, the sum in question was paid by Brancaccio to De Michele for advertising space related to business activities attributable to the former mayor, as well as for a collaboration that had consolidated over time between the two.
Documents and previous acquittals to support the defense
In support of this claim, the defense presented documents to the preliminary investigation court attesting to a long-standing professional relationship between De Michele and Brancaccio. Indeed, the journalist allegedly repeatedly used the former mayor as a source for news, especially regarding the Municipality of Orta di Atella.
This collaboration had been so assiduous that De Michele had even been acquitted in previous criminal proceedings relating to articles he had written, thanks precisely to information or documents provided by Brancaccio.
Mario De Michele's release from prison reopens the debate on the nature of the relationship between media and local power, raising questions about the line between legitimate collaboration and potential undue influence. Investigations will continue to shed full light on the matter.
Reading about this story makes me think that justice must take its course, but it's also important to know whether there was any collusion between De Michele and Brancaccio. The truth must come out.