"I did all this to protect Ranucci from an attack I had heard about. It was so necessary to protect him that for two months after the October events, I called Ranucci to ask for increased security." This is essentially what Valter Lavitola said before the preliminary hearing judges, according to his defense attorneys, Sergio and Arturo Cola. According to the lawyers, "the political motive alleged by the Rome Prosecutor's Office is unfounded. According to what Lavitola reiterated today, Ranucci never intended to run for office or enter politics. In fact, Ranucci often complained that Lavitola brought up the issue."
"I had a great friendship with Ranucci, and I hoped this relationship could also rehabilitate me and bring me social redemption," Lavitola explained in spontaneous statements before the judges.
The Court of Appeal has reserved its decision on the request for house arrest, which the lawyers have identified as a house in Basilicata available to the suspect.
(Unioneonline)
