The single judge of the Latina Court, Mario La Rosa, fully acquitted (“because the fact does not exist”) the eight soldiers accused of alleged violence against then-trainee pilot Giulia Schiff during the so-called flight baptism on April 4, 2018.
The charge of injury was reclassified as assault and declared not prosecutable due to the lateness of the complaint. The reasons will be filed within 90 days.
Reactions in the Courtroom
Satisfaction from the defense and the State Attorney's Office. State attorney Maurizio Greco spoke of “acquittal in the name of the Air Force, especially in these days of sorrow.”
The Contested Rite and the Accusations
At the center of the proceedings, the flight baptism, a traditionally playful moment following the first solo exam: the trainee is lifted and made to “spin” on the ground — symbolically from “penguin” to “eagle” — with pats and sometimes blows with twigs.
For the public prosecutor (Prosecutor Antonio Sgarrella), what happened to Schiff went beyond playfulness: in the video on file, pushes, open-handed pats, the throwing into a fountain, and the use of branches can be seen. On September 12, the prosecutor had requested one year of imprisonment for each defendant.
The defense, in the arguments on September 22, argued the absence of elements for a conviction “beyond a reasonable doubt”, reiterating the playful nature of the rite and the lack of dissent expressed by the trainee in the documented instance.
The Defendants and the Parties
On trial were the eight former course mates of Giulia Schiff at the flight school of the 70° Stormo in Latina: Matteo Pagliari, Ida Picone, Andrea Angelelli, Leonardo Facchetti, Joseph Garzisi, Luca Mignanti, Andrea Farulli, and Gabriele Onori.
The civil party was represented by lawyer Massimiliano Strampelli. Civilly liable: the Ministry of Defense, assisted by the State Attorney's Office. The defense team includes, among others, lawyers Scafetta, Siracusano, Guida, Dulvi, Siciliano, Floccher, Chiabotto.
The verdict comes while the Comani Airport in Latina is still shaken by the tragedy in the Circeo National Park (October 1), in which the commander colonel of the 70° Stormo lost his life following the fall of a two-seater.
The Stages of the Case
- April 4, 2018 — “Flight baptism” episode at the 70° Stormo, Latina.
- November 2021 — Start of the trial.
- September 12, 2025 — Prosecutor Sgarrella's closing argument.
- September 22, 2025 — Defense arguments.
- October 6, 2025 — Acquittal verdict.
What Happens Now
- First-degree acquittal for all defendants.
- Reasons for the verdict: expected within 90 days.
- The Prosecutor's Office may consider a possible appeal.
Comments
No comments yet. Be the first!