"I am and remain convinced that Anna Maria Franzoni is guilty. Not because she was convicted in all levels of trial, but because there was evidence".

These are the words of Maria Del Savio Bonaudo, who as chief prosecutor of Aosta dealt directly with the murder of Samuele Lorenzi, which took place in Cogne exactly 20 years ago, on January 30, 2002.

The magistrate said how the case immediately became the media: "But - he explains - we were unable to give precise information. Doctor Ada Satragni (doctor of the local Usl, ed) claimed that the child's head had exploded while the doctors the hospital said it was a violent act. We had to wait for the autopsy. "

Furthermore, explains the former prosecutor, now retired, "the families of Cogne were alarmed, they thought there was a 'monster' around the town. So I went on TV to reassure the population".

"In the beginning - continues Del Savio Bonaudo - I never said it was the mother. We made all possible investigations, we heard and monitored all possible 'suspects' indicated by the family. Then the Ris detected the blood on the slippers and the pajamas were found under the sheets. In short, it became clear that it could only have been the mother. We had the evidence, it was collected well. Compared to other similar investigations, this one could not be scratched ".

Del Davio Bonaudo also spoke of the media pressure that the investigators had to deal with: "This story has become complex for a variety of reasons, from the media interest to the emotion it aroused in citizens. Everyone was asking us for a quick response but to give an answer it took time to investigate. What hurt me most was the publication in some newspapers of the news that the murderer was wearing pajamas ".

"We knew it - adds the former prosecutor - because it had been anticipated but we could not ask for a precautionary measure on the basis of oral information, we needed a written report. People were wondering why we didn't arrest them. It was a difficult moment. Also for the image of inefficiency or inability that we could give. I did not know who had leaked the news, I found out years later: he had been my deputy attorney, perhaps disappointed because I had not entrusted the case, and this hurt me even more. "

"There was a lot of hurry on the investigations - continues the former magistrate - but it didn't last an eternity. We must pay attention to everything, I am thinking of the release ordered by the review court: the coroner, contrary to what we had said verbally, he had written that the death had occurred when the mother was away from home and therefore the judges had deduced that it was not her. So we discovered the 'wrong' point of the investigation ".

Ever had doubts about conducting the investigation? "It was a murder, albeit an ugly and sensational one. It was an investigation of intelligence, attention and meticulousness. Doctor Stefania Cugge is an excellent magistrate and she proved it. I never thought of replacing her. I am a woman and I know what I have been through from some of the men who wanted me to be a servant in the office. Cugge was masterful, even in the appeal to the Supreme Court. Should I have given the investigations to another just because he was male? ".

(Unioneonline / lf)

© Riproduzione riservata