Claudio Manca, the 49-year-old man from Terralba, was found dead on Friday, September 26, along with his damaged bicycle, in a canal in the town following a brutal beating. According to the autopsy, which concluded late that evening after several hours and was performed by coroner Roberto Demontis, the victim was apparently severely beaten, and the injuries he suffered are not consistent with a fall from his bicycle .
The defense team's consultant, pathologist Danilo Fois, also participated in the examination. He was joined by the Olbia coroner, Domenico Nuvoli, appointed by Fabio Costa, the lawyer representing the victim's family.
Manca's body suffered severe neck trauma, a minor orbital fracture, and a leg wound. According to reports, the 49-year-old's death occurred between 10 and 12 hours before his body was found in the canal. His body remains under seizure. Further investigations will be ordered.
Investigators also want to understand whether the fatal beating occurred where the body was found or elsewhere, with the body subsequently taken to the canal.
Battista Manis, the businessman accused of voluntary manslaughter, is currently in prison in Oristano. The man, who owns several tobacco shops in the Oristano area , had posted videos in the previous days, accusing him, using a nickname similar to Manca, of being the actual perpetrator of the arson attack he was the victim of a few days before the crime.
The 52-year-old maintains his innocence, according to lawyer Antonio Pinna Spada of the Oristano Bar Association, who met with him in Massama prison along with his colleague Cristina Morrone: "Manis is distressed and calm." After yesterday's validation hearing, Oristano investigating judge Federica Fulgheri confirmed the arrest and ordered a precautionary prison sentence.
(Unioneonline/D)