An Italian man convicted of murdering his girlfriend has had his life sentence reaffirmed after an appeal to reduce his punishment on the grounds of “Covid stress” was rejected.
Antonio De Pace, initially sentenced to life without parole for the killing of 27-year-old Lorena Quaranta, had his case reviewed earlier this year after an appeal court raised questions about whether the psychological pressures of the pandemic could have mitigated his responsibility.
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However, new appeal judges upheld the life sentence, with the final reasoning to be published within 90 days.
The crime occurred on March 21, 2020, at the height of Italy’s Covid-19 lockdown.
De Pace, a nurse, attacked Quaranta, a soon-to-be medical graduate, in their home in Furci Siculo.
He fatally beat her with objects and strangled her following an argument in which he accused her of infecting him with the virus.
De Pace confessed to the murder when he called the police shortly after the incident.
At his original trial, the Messina court found him guilty and imposed a life sentence.
However, an all-male appeal court later called for a reassessment, arguing that the pandemic’s extraordinary circumstances may have played a role in De Pace’s inability to control his emotions.
Their July ruling suggested that the pandemic context could potentially lessen his criminal liability.
Prosecutors endorsed reducing the sentence to 24 years, while De Pace’s defense claimed his actions resulted from anguish and mental distress.
Despite these arguments, a psychiatric evaluation determined that De Pace only suffered from anxiety, which the judges ruled insufficient to justify reducing his punishment.
The appeal judges’ decision has now upheld the life sentence. Whether a further trial at the Supreme Court is warranted will depend on the forthcoming reasoning document.
Lorena Quaranta’s family expressed relief at the outcome.
Her father, Vincenzo Quaranta, described the decision as a victory not only for his daughter but for all women victimized by violence.
Speaking about their ordeal, he said,
“This sentence is not just for my daughter, but for all the women who have fallen into the hands of brutal people.”
The case has sparked widespread reaction in Italy.
Politicians, including Alfredo Antoniozzi of the ruling Brothers of Italy party, welcomed the verdict.
“Justice has been served,”
Antoniozzi said, reflecting the sentiment of many who have followed the case closely.
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SOURCE: Woman killer’s life term is upheld after quashing due to ‘Covid stress’
