Milan, 10 June (LaPresse) – "The acquittal of Louis Dassilva is the outcome of a long and complex trial in which the prosecution’s case was subjected to a thorough and rigorous examination in court. During the trial, the elements forming the basis of the prosecution’s case were progressively analysed and challenged through our detailed technical work, grounded in methodology, scientific analysis and critical verification of the investigative findings. Many of the conclusions put forward by the prosecution clearly did not stand up to cross-examination, being progressively scaled back or superseded by the evidence that emerged in court.” This is stated by criminologist Roberta Catania, a forensic psychologist and defence consultant in the trial of Louis Dassilva for the murder of Pierina Paganelli. “It will be interesting to read, once the judgment is issued, the assessment of the statements made by the witness Manuela Bianchi,” continues Catania. ‘In the absence of further evidence capable of corroborating their content, these statements have clearly not proved sufficient to support a finding of criminal liability,’ she concludes. ‘At the same time, there remains the awareness of having contributed, through intense and rigorous work, to demonstrating that the trial must remain the forum for establishing the facts and not for confirming pre-existing convictions.’
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