Daniela Zinnanti, the woman killed in Messina by her ex-partner Santino Bonfiglio last Monday, reportedly tried to defend herself before dying. This is one of the findings emerging from today's autopsy. The examination was conducted by coroner Alessio Asmundo, who was appointed yesterday by the Prosecutor's Office. Also at the Papardo Hospital morgue were the consultants appointed by Bonfiglio's defense and the Zinnanti family: Professors Daniela Sapienza and Antonino Bondì.
Bonfiglio apparently used a metal rod to force open the window and enter the bedroom , then stabbed the woman in the back of the head. He then used a knife to stab her multiple times. The woman had wounds on her hands, indicating she initially attempted to protect herself from the stab wounds. Bonfiglio allegedly relentlessly stabbed his ex-partner in the chest and neck, stabbing her at least thirty times. According to the autopsy, Zinnanti died shortly thereafter. The body was found the next day by her daughter, who, alarmed by her mother's unresponsiveness, came to the house. The investigation also revealed a previous conviction for Bonfiglio, dating back to 2008. He had already been arrested by police in Spadafora on charges of attempted murder against his then-partner. Initially stopped by a nearby policeman, he fled in an attempt to avoid arrest by the police, who had meanwhile responded to a report from the victim, who was given a 30-day jail sentence.
The first-instance sentence was ten years in prison. However, on appeal, the judges changed the legal classification of the crimes to personal injury, reducing the sentence to three years.
(Unioneonline)