On July 5, 2014, in the center of Naples, a fragment of a frieze broke off the facade of the Galleria Umberto I, hitting Salvatore Giordano, a 14-year-old student, in the head. He was with friends at the entrance on Via Toledo.
Taken to the hospital in critical condition, the boy died four days later, on July 9th, triggering a lengthy legal process for manslaughter and negligent disaster against condominium administrators and municipal officials responsible for maintenance.
The first-instance trial, held before single judge Barbara Mendia, concluded on September 19, 2022, with sentences for five defendants: two years each for condominium administrators Bruno Mariano and Elio Notarbartolo, two years for municipal manager Giovanni Spagnuolo, one year and two months for municipal technician Franco Annunziata and the other administrator Marco Fresa.
A seventh defendant had since died, while another was acquitted; the prosecution, led by Maria Aschettino, had requested sentences of up to three years and six months.
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On February 13, 2025, the Court of Appeal of Naples, presided over by Giovanni Carbone, confirmed the two-year sentences for Mariano and Notarbartolo, revised Spagnuolo's sentence to one year and four months, declaring the statute of limitations for manslaughter, and acquitted Fresa and Annunziata because they did not commit the crime and because the act did not constitute a crime, despite both waiving the statute of limitations.
The Giordano family, assisted by lawyer Sergio Pisani, has been waiting for justice and compensation from the City of Naples and the condominium for twelve years, despite a final conviction for a municipal official.
A plaque commemorating Salvatore was unveiled at the entrance to the Galleria Umberto I from Via Toledo in July 2025, a symbol of a tragedy that shook the city.
The Court of Cassation's Fourth Section has set the hearing for February 13, 2026, when the finality of the sentences will be decided. The family hopes for a swift resolution to obtain "the compensation they deserve" and put an end to "an unjustifiable delay," as lawyer Pisani claims.
Comments (3)
Our sincere condolences to his loved ones
rip.
Do justice
This article discusses a very sad tragedy in Naples. It's important that those responsible be punished, but there are many flaws in the legal system that slow down the process and don't help families like Salvatore's.