The wife of an Italian jeweler jailed for 17 years for the murders of two robbers has revealed she faces financial ruin after being ordered to pay €300,000 in compensation.
Mario Roggero (68) shot the gang after they raided his shop, tied up his daughter in a gruesome robbery and threatened to kill his wife Mariangela in April 2021.
Roggero pursued the three-man gang after they fled with watches and jewelry and shot Andrea Spinelli and Giuseppe Mazzarino while the third was wounded and later arrested.
After outrage over judge Alberto Giannone’s harsh sentence for defending his family, Mariangela said on Italian television: “This sentence is absurd.” It is incomprehensible.
“But now we have to think about the financial impact of this verdict, because in addition to the conviction we also face bankruptcy.”
Footage from inside the store shows his daughter with her hands tied behind her back
Mario Roggero shot three thieves in front of his shop in Grinzane Cavour on 28 April 2021
Ruggero said during his trial that he was afraid the men had kidnapped his wife
Mario Roggero (photo) shot two robbers in Grinzane Cavour on 28 April 2021
After raiding his shop, the gang tied up his daughter in a gruesome robbery and threatened to kill his wife Mariangela (pictured right) in April 2021
“We need to collect 300,000 euros as compensation for the victims’ families.” We had to sell an apartment that Mario inherited from his mother and take out a loan from the bank.
“We need to get as many people behind us as possible. ‘I just don’t know how to move on.’
Earlier this week, Roggero was found guilty by a court in Asti, near Turin, after he was found guilty of the murder of the two robbers in the town of Grinzane Cavour. Prosecutors had actually asked for fourteen years in prison, but the judge granted him more.
CCTV captured the dramatic moment he lunged at her armed with the gun and shot her – and the verdict sparked outrage from Italy’s deputy prime minister Matteo Salvini, who expressed his “full solidarity”.
Mariangela added: “People have shown us so much support. I’m not on social media, but I don’t understand how so many people found us and showed their support.
“So far we’ve raised €11,000 to pay Mario’s compensation, but I’m worried that years of hard work will go up in smoke.”
“This sentence applies not only to Mario, but to all of us. “Those who will pay are our children and grandchildren.”
The robbers threatened the jeweler and his family with death and tied up his daughter
“I’m sorry that something like this happened, it’s very bad, but it depends on me or them,” Roggero said after the attempted robbery
Mr. Ruggero was seen in the parking lot after shooting at three thieves
But Mariangela rejected help from politicians, adding: “Frankly, I don’t believe in them or in any of the institutions and especially in the judiciary, which is on the side of criminals and not on the side of honest citizens.”
“I have always voted, encouraged by Mario, but now this chapter is closed.” “I thank those who support us, but I still feel helpless and disappointed.”
She continued: “I try to maintain balance, as I have always done in our family.
“The children always say: ‘Mum, if you weren’t here, everything would collapse.
“But this is a heavy burden and this is not the only time we have been robbed. This first happened in 2015 and since then we have been living in a nightmare.
“I think about the two people who died, about the fate that drew them into this sad story, and maybe it’s all part of a bigger plan.”
When asked what she wanted to say to the judge, Mariangela (67) said: “That they did not understand the situation, that they imposed a heavy sentence that does not fit this case.”
“When Mario shot, he did it because he was forced to, and that was not his intention.” In his mind he was just defending us. It was instincts that caused him to act this way.
“Maybe he was thinking back to the other times we were robbed, maybe it was a bit of an exaggerated act of self-defense, but he didn’t mean to do it.”
The family plans to appeal the verdict and sentence.
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Elizabeth Cabrera is an author and journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a talent for staying up-to-date on the latest news and trends, Elizabeth is dedicated to delivering informative and engaging articles that keep readers informed on the latest developments.
