Italian footballer Giovanni Padovani, 28, has been sentenced to life in prison for the brutal murder of his ex-girlfriend, 56-year-old Alessandra Matteuzzi. Padovani, a former centre-back who played for Sancataldese, was convicted of stalking and fatally beating Matteuzzi with a hammer outside her home in Bologna, northern Italy, on August 23, 2022.
Matteuzzi's sister, Stefania, who was on the phone with her during the attack, heard her screams as Padovani viciously assaulted her with a hammer, fists, baseball bat, and a bench. Despite Stefania's immediate call to the police, Matteuzzi succumbed to her injuries in the hospital.
The couple had been together for about a year but had been living apart, with Padovani working in Sicily while Matteuzzi resided in Bologna. Their relationship turned violent, with Stefania recounting a previous incident where Padovani smashed dishes and a light during a fight at Matteuzzi's home. Matteuzzi reported Padovani to the police for stalking after their breakup, but he continued to harass her, attempting to sabotage her car and climbing onto her balcony.
During his trial, Padovani attempted to plead insanity, claiming he was not in a fit state of mind during the attack. However, the judge swiftly rejected this defense, citing Padovani's predatory behavior and the premeditated nature of the assault as aggravating factors. The court handed down the life sentence after just two hours of deliberation.
Following the verdict, Stefania tearfully expressed her grief, lamenting the loss of her sister. The tragic incident underscores the devastating consequences of domestic violence and the urgent need for effective measures to address and prevent such crimes.
No comments:
Post a Comment