Italian appeals court reduces sentences of two American in the slaying of Italian police officer

(3 Jul 2024)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Rome, Italy - 3 July 2024
1. Various of defendants Finnegan Lee Elder and Gabriel Natale-Hjorth
2. Jury entering
3. SOUNDBITE (Italian) Francesco Neri, president of the jury:
“As far as Finnegan Lee Elder is concerned the aggravating factors are excluded for crime number 2 and taking into account the general mitigating circumstances.”
4. Defendants
5. SOUNDBITE (Italian) Francesco Neri, president of the jury:
“The penalty was reduced by one third for choosing a fast track trial, we rule a new penalty of 15 years and two months in jail. The defendant is acquitted from the penalty of resisting a police officer, as stated at the point 3 of the indictment, as the fact is not a crime. Therefore the penalty for this crime is deleted.”
6. Elder nodding
7. SOUNDBITE (Italian), Francesco Neri, president of the jury:
“(Talking about Natale-Hjorth) the court rules a new overall penalty for all the crimes at point 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 of the indictment in 11 years and 4 months in prison and a 800.00 euros fee. The rest of the appealed verdict is confirmed.”
8. Wide of courtroom
9. Lee Elder talking to lawyer Renato Borzone
10. SOUNDBITE (Italian), Renato Borzone, defence attorney for Finnegan Lee Elder:
“Few hours after talking with Finn, we put our faces on it to explain that he wasn’t aware of being at the presence of law enforcement officials. Unfortunately we need five years. At last we have a jury that tonight can sleep with serenity because they took a fair decision.”
11. Ethan Elder, father of Finnegan Lee Elder
12. SOUNDBITE (English), Ethan Elder, father of Finnegan Lee Elder:
“We accept the court decision and it’s been a long and hard road for all of us. It’s been five years and we never, never forgot the memory of Officer Rega and we certainly never forgot the memory of our sons.”
13. Ethan Elder walking
14. SOUNDBITE (English), Ethan Elder, father of Finnegan Lee Elder:
“And man, in those first days we we had nothing but lies. And I think you all know that. But we are just ready to move forward and ready for Finn to get on his path and Gabe to get on theirs and to find their way through this mess and come home to their families. (How was Finn feeling when you talked to him?) He was feeling pretty good. He was probably a little more together than I am, but, but he's a strong, he's a strong man. He is. And he's, he's grown up in prison immensely. (What did he say?) He said, don't cry, dad. For starters. And then he said, we'll, we'll work it out. Well, you know, just like we have for five years. (Did you talked to Leah?) Just for a second, she's very elated. And I don't think we could ask for a reasonable, better decision today. And that makes us proud of the Italian system and makes us proud of the American system. It makes us proud of all you people. So thank you very much."
15. Gabriel Natale-Hjorth hugging
16. SOUNDBITE (Italian), Francesco Petrelli, defence attorney for Gabriel Natale-Hjorth:
“There was a reduction, mainly of the responsibility. Because it was recognising that there was an anomalous participation in the crime, meaning that there was a shift from intentional malice to negligence. So basically the verdict tells the guy (Natale-Hjorth) that he did not foresee the consequences. I mean, the fact that a basic crime could escalate in such a dramatic way.”
17. Prosecutor Bruno Giangiacomo
18. SOUNDBITE (Italian) Bruno Giangiacomo, prosecutor:
19. Various of Rosa Maria Esilio, widow of Mario Cerciello Rega
21. Various of flags and Rome court of appeal
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