"Mario Roggero was a dedicated professional who lived and worked here for forty years. His story, on a human level, is painful." The mayor of Grinzane Cavour, Gianfranco Garau, a few days after the Supreme Court upheld his 14-year and 9-month sentence, spoke out on behalf of a community close to the jeweler who, on April 28, 2021, shot and killed two robbers who had just fled after robbing his shop. The ruling reignited the debate on self-defense, which the judges ruled was ineffective because the danger was no longer "present"—the robbers were fleeing— and brought cameras and spotlights back to the small town in the Langhe region, whose name pays homage to its illustrious mayor for seventeen years, from 1832 to 1849, none other than the Risorgimento statesman Camillo Benso, Count of Cavour. A municipality of two thousand souls that is today administered precisely by Gianfranco Garau, great-grandfather originally from southern Sardinia who for work reasons moved with his family and his father, Efisio Garau, first to Basilicata and later to Piedmont : "I was born here but my roots still represent a source of pride for our family today."
Mayor, what's the atmosphere like in Grinzane Cavour today?
"As happened during the robbery and the trial, we express our deepest sympathy for Mario Roggero."
She knows him personally.
"Her four daughters have always been almost all my age. They're a family that's always worked hard and with dedication. That's why we feel close to them."
For his fellow citizens, who wrote a letter, Roggero is a "sacrificial victim" and with this sentence "the underworld is being rewarded."
"It's certainly not up to me to judge the magistrates' work. There were three levels of proceedings, and the sentences must be respected. What I can say is that it's sad to see a man who had gone to work that morning as usual find himself involved in such a huge tragedy. He likely reacted as someone deeply traumatized by what had happened and by another robbery he'd suffered six years earlier. Mario has always been honest; he's worked honestly his entire life. I challenge anyone to say how they would react in a similar circumstance."
The ruling also confirms compensation for the families of the two victims.
"It's one of the most controversial aspects. Of course, there are two people dead and two families who have suffered a loss. However, it's clear that this compensation is unfair; I'd say it's the worst aspect of the conviction. As a citizen, I think perhaps a different path could have been envisioned ."
By widening the scope of self-defense, aren't you afraid of the risk of a "Wild West" where everyone takes the law into their own hands?
"It's clear we can't live in a society where everyone takes the law into their own hands. At the same time, I believe this story demonstrates how deeply citizens care about security. We need to find a balance that protects everyone."
What do you think of the enormous media and political attention?
I hope this can spark serious discussion. If there's a chance to change some of the rules to prevent situations like this from happening again, I think it's right to discuss it. Security isn't a right-wing or left-wing issue: it's a right of all citizens, who must feel protected. The judges have applied the current law, but many issues—from the boundaries of self-defense to compensation—continue to deeply divide public opinion.
Do you think this affair could damage the image of Grinzane Cavour, one of the jewels of the Langhe?
We're used to discussing wine, wine tourism, gastronomy, and the history of Cavour. We're proud to be known for these excellences. Grinzane Cavour remains a peaceful area, world-famous for its hills and quality of life. We hope we'll be back in the conversation soon.