Parents to Face Trial in Chiara Jaconis Manslaughter Case
Naples, April 23 – The Public Prosecutor’s Office in Naples has formally requested that the parents of a 13-year-old boy be sent to trial on charges of negligent homicide in connection with the death of Chiara Jaconis, a 30-year-old woman from Padova. Jaconis died on September 17, 2024, after being hit by a statuette allegedly thrown from a balcony in the Spanish Quarters of Naples while she was walking with her partner.
Prosecution Alleges Negligent Supervision
The accusation against the parents centers on alleged negligent supervision of their minor son. According to investigators, the 13-year-old was responsible for throwing the statuette. However, due to his age at the time of the incident, he is not legally imputable, and the case against him in the juvenile court system has been closed without prosecution.
Gianfranco Jaconis, Chiara’s father, commented on the development, stating, “This request for indictment for the parents of the child who allegedly threw the statuette that killed our Chiara is a step we were waiting for. It doesn’t reward us and doesn’t satisfy us because another hard and tortuous path awaits us. But it’s already something.” He emphasized their continued trust in the investigators’ work and their determination to face the upcoming legal proceedings.
Preliminary Hearing Set for June
A preliminary hearing before the Judge for Preliminary Investigations (GUP) at the Naples Tribunal has been scheduled for June 26. During this hearing, the GUP will decide whether to accept the prosecution’s request and proceed with a trial or to dismiss the case against the two suspects.
The parents, represented by their lawyer, Carlo Bianco, have consistently denied any wrongdoing, asserting their complete dissociation from the incident. They have also contested the claim that the statuette or its fragments recovered after the tragedy originated from their residence. Investigators have reportedly uncovered similar past incidents where other objects were thrown from the building onto the street, though without previous serious consequences.
Previous Incidents and Ongoing Investigation
The investigation by the ordinary prosecutor’s office has run parallel to inquiries conducted by the Juvenile Prosecutor’s Office. While the juvenile proceedings concluded with the finding that the 13-year-old was indeed the one who threw the statuette, his legal status as a minor under 14 years old prevents him from being held criminally responsible. This legal distinction shifts the focus to the parents’ alleged responsibility for their son’s actions.
The tragic event has brought to light concerns about public safety in densely populated urban areas and the responsibilities of parents for their children’s conduct. The Jaconis family continues to seek justice and a full understanding of the circumstances that led to Chiara’s untimely death.
The case continues to draw significant public attention in Italy, highlighting the complexities of legal proceedings involving minors and the profound impact of such incidents on victims’ families.
Source: https://corrieredelveneto.corriere.it/notizie/padova/cronaca/26_aprile_22/morte-di-chiara-jaconis-colpita-da-una-statuetta-a-napoli-il-pm-chiede-il-processo-per-i-genitori-del-ragazzo-di-13-anni-b2bd48f2-0806-4f25-ba72-a86000e93xlk.shtml
