Aversa: The hearing in the death of 19-year-old Patrizio Spasiano has been postponed until January.

Aversa – A call for justice awaits answers in the courtrooms, while outside the voices of family members and protesters continue to be heard forcefully. The first crucial step in the judicial process into the death of Patrizio Spasiano, the 19-year-old who tragically died on January 10, 2025, inside the Frigocaserta plant in Gricignano d'Aversa, Caserta, due to a dramatic ammonia leak, has been concluded with a technical adjournment.

The preliminary hearing scheduled before the preliminary hearing judge of the Naples North Court has been postponed to January 21. This postponement, due to technical reasons, temporarily suspends, but does not end, the hearing on the prosecutor's request for indictment against the five defendants, all facing charges of manslaughter.

The dynamics of the accident: the reconstruction of the Prosecutor's Office

According to the investigation conducted by the Prosecutor's Office, the young worker was inside the Frigocaserta plant carrying out maintenance work on the morning of the tragedy. Patrizio had been employed by the Cofrin cooperative for just two months.

The reconstruction of the facts traces the origin of the disaster to a tragic accident: during construction site maneuvers, a scaffolding violently struck a pressure gauge, causing it to break. This triggered the lethal ammonia gas leak. Inhalation and severe exposure to the toxic substance caused the nineteen-year-old to suffer a severe acute pulmonary edema, which quickly proved fatal.

The defendants and the contested responsibilities

At the center of the legal proceedings are the positions of five individuals, for whom the prosecution alleges serious negligence related to workplace safety:

• Domenico Razzano: legal representative of Frigocaserta and client of the works.
  Alfonso Avola: legal representative of the Cofrin cooperative and the victim's employer.
  Erasmo Avola: construction site manager.
  Alfredo Migliore: safety coordinator.
  Roberto Pescia: project manager.

At the hearing scheduled for the end of January, it will be up to the judge to assess the merits of the charges and decide whether to order the case to be sent for trial.

The parents' grief and the mobilization of the square

Outside the Aversa courthouse, a strong demonstration began in the early hours of the morning. Awaiting the outcome of the hearing were Patrizio's parents, Simona Esposito and Armando Spasiano, visibly distraught but determined to fight for their son's memory.

Alongside them was a large group of activists from the USB union, students, Potere al Popolo activists, and ordinary citizens. The crowd rallied around the family, displaying eloquent banners, including one reading "Truth and justice for Patrizio Spasiano, who died at 19 on the job," accompanied by controversial slogans criticizing safety conditions and the responsibilities of the companies involved.