Naples, Italy – The Court of Appeal of Naples has confirmed a thirty-year prison sentence for Giovanni Rendina, implicated in the 1986 murder of off-duty police officer Domenico Attianese. The ruling, delivered nearly four decades after the fatal incident, marks a significant step in the long-awaited pursuit of justice for Attianese’s family.
The Tragic Incident of December 1986
The tragic event unfolded on December 6, 1986, at the Romanelli jewelry store in the Pianura district of Naples. Domenico Attianese, an off-duty police officer, bravely intervened to thwart an ongoing robbery. In his attempt to stop the criminals, Attianese lost his life, leaving behind a wife and two daughters.
Decades-Long Quest for Justice
The murder, which remained unsolved for many years, has recently seen significant developments. Salvatore Allard has already been separately convicted for his role in the crime, also receiving a thirty-year sentence at the first-degree level. The Attianese family, represented by lawyer Gianmario Siani, has been actively involved as civil parties in the legal proceedings, tirelessly seeking accountability for their profound loss.
Family’s Reaction and Continued Hope
Carla Attianese, one of Domenico’s daughters, expressed profound satisfaction with the appeals court’s decision. “As a family,” she stated, “we express great satisfaction with the confirmation on appeal of the sentence against Salvatore Rendina, recognized in the second degree as the material perpetrator of my father’s murder, which occurred 39 years ago.”
While acknowledging that no verdict can ever truly fill the void left by her father’s death, Carla emphasized the importance of justice. “Certainly, no sentence will ever be able to balance or fill the void and the loss of a father and a husband, but these people had and have a debt to society that it is right they pay, because they deprived us of an affection, but the entire community of a law enforcement officer,” she added.
The family now awaits the appeal process for the second robber, who also received a maximum sentence in the first instance. “We now await with the same confidence the appeal process against the second robber, also already sentenced in the first degree to the maximum penalty, hoping to soon reach a definitive outcome. A way to close a wound that has remained open for too many years and to restore to dad, not his life, lost forever, but truth and justice,” Carla Attianese conveyed, highlighting their unwavering resolve.
The Enduring Legacy of Domenico Attianese
Domenico Attianese’s sacrifice serves as a poignant reminder of the dangers faced by law enforcement officers, even when off duty. His courageous act to protect his community underscores the dedication of those who serve and protect. The confirmation of Rendina’s sentence, nearly four decades later, offers a measure of closure to a family that has endured immense pain and a community that remembers a hero.
This case highlights the persistence of the Italian judicial system in pursuing justice, even across generations. The legal proceedings underscore the principle that serious crimes, particularly those involving the loss of life, will eventually be met with accountability, regardless of the passage of time.
The outcome of the upcoming appeal for the second convicted individual will be closely watched, as the Attianese family and the wider Neapolitan community hope for a complete and final resolution to this long-standing tragedy.
Source: https://napoli.corriere.it/notizie/cronaca/25_dicembre_10/il-poliziotto-domenico-attianese-ucciso-39-anni-fa-a-pianura-confermata-la-condanna-a-30-anni-per-uno-dei-due-rapinatori-85a4b2f7-804d-4977-9534-62ef1c2efxlk.shtml
