Thread by @NickWhithorn

9 August 1991, Antonino Scopelliti, Public Prosecutor at the Italian Supreme Court of Cassation, is murdered at Campo Calabro, near Villa San Giovanni. A rare example of 'ndrangheta killing a judge, and unique in that they did so at the request of Cosa Nostra [Thread] >> 1

In his career Scopelliti represents the Public Prosecution in numerous high profile cases, such as the neo-fascist bombing in Piazza Fontana in Milan (1969), the abduction & murder of Aldo Moro by the Red Brigades in Rome (1978, see linked thread)... >> 2

https://twitter.com/NickWhithorn/status/1371801227495882753?s=19

... the hijacking of the Achille Lauro by the Palestinian Liberation Front (1985) and the mafia bombing of the Rapido 904 train (1984, see linked thread). He gains a reputation as a rigorous and effective prosecutor, immune to outside influence >> 3

https://twitter.com/NickWhithorn/status/1341695943012442112?s=19

On 10 December 1991, Palermo Court of Appeal largely upholds the judgment of the maxi-trial against Cosa Nostra, which inflicted 346 convictions, 19 life sentences & a Total of 2,665 years' imprisonment (see linked thread) >> 4

https://twitter.com/NickWhithorn/status/1262830469655265285?s=19

Most importantly, the maxi-trial recognises that Cosa Nostra is a stable organisation with a central command & control structure. Now, judgment has been referred to the Supreme Court of Cassation & the rumour is that Scopelliti has asked to be assigned as Public Prosecutor >> 5

Cosa Nostra cannot afford to let this judgment be upheld. Initially, their hope is that the case will be assigned to the First Section of the Supreme Court of Cassation, presided over by Corrado Carnevale (photo) >> 6

Carnevale has earned the nickname "amazzasentenze" (judgment killer) because of the large number of convictions he has overturned, especially for mafia & terrorismo related offences. Unfortunately for Cosa Nostra, the case is assigned to the Second Section >> 7

Cosa Nostra decides Scopelliti's elimination. By doing this they hope to achieve 3 objectives:
1. Get rid of an objective threat;
2. Cause delays resulting in mafiosi held on remand being freed due to expiry of time limits;
3. Instil fear in any judge replacing Scopelliti >> 8

Killing a judge in Calabria, however, requires approval by 'ndrangheta, an organisation then in the middle of a bloody war between rival clans. What better way to stop them fighting one another than convincing them to target a mutual enemy: Antonino Scopelliti >> 9

Legend has it that Totò Riina crosses the Strait of Messina and travels around Calabria disguised as a priest in order to negotiate with 'ndrangheta bosses. Whatever the truth, Scopelliti's fate is decided >> 10

On 9 August 1991, Scopelliti is enjoying a few days' holiday in his home village of Campo Calabro with his parents, brother & sister. After a day on the beach between Scilla & Villa San Giovanni, he is driving back to his parents' house in the late afternoon >> 11

It is a steep uphill climb from the coast, along a narrow road with hairpin bends. At a certain point he passes a motorbike on the side of the Road with two men aboard. After he passes, the motorbike starts up, accelerates and draws alonside the car >> 12

The passenger fires twice with a sawn-off shotgun, hitting Scopelliti in the head, killing him instantly.
The men who materially killed him have never been identified. Various Cosa Nostra bosses were tried for ordering his killing but acquitted due to insufficient evidence >> 13

At Scopelliti's funeral Giovanni Falcone confided to the victim's brother, "if they have decided this, they will not stop here. I am next." >> 14

"A judge is alone, alone with the lies he has believed, alone with the truths that have escaped him, (...) alone with the tears of the innocent and with the mendacity of the evil. But a good judge, in his solitude, must be free, honest and courageous."
Antonino Scopelliti