Category: Italian related
The Sad Case Of Sonia Marra #2: Summary Of Known Facts To Release Last Week Of Prime Suspect
Posted by catnip
The Sonia Marra case hits another dead-end (blind alley) (n1).
Umberto Bindella, 31, accused of the murder of student Sonia Marra who vanished in November 2006, was released the afternoon of 6 February 2010. (n2).
He had always maintained his innocence. (n3)
The Perugia GIP granted a defence request for release of their client (n4), who had been in prison since 18 December 2009 (n5).
According to one of Bindella’s lawyers, Daniela Paccoi, the GIP had decided the evidence was insufficient (n6). “The evidence has been shown to be quite weak. There is no evidence against Umberto Bindella.” (n7).
“In any case, they found confirmation, elements furnished by Bindella himself, suporting his defence case.” (n8).
The GIP’s decision, following the defence’s formal request for a release from custody for their client, “was handed down due to lack of evidence against Umberto Bindella,” she said. (n9)
Bindella’s other lawyer, Egidi, also expressed satisfaction with the decision. (n10) Waiting for him outside the prison, besides his lawyers, his parents were also present. (n11)
Bindella’s first words were: “I don’t want to appear banale, but Justice has been done.” (n12) “I’m satisfied.” (n13)
The same Justice that Sonia Marra’s family is waiting for. (n14) They have had no news of the Pugliese student since 16 November 2006. (n15)
She left her apartment in order, and all her things behind. (n16) Her disappearance is still wrapped in mystery. (n17)
FOOTNOTES AND REFERENCES BELOW IMAGES OF SONIA
Click here for the rest
Posted by catnip on 02/10/10 at 03:13 AM •
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The Sad Case Of Sonia Marra #1: Summary Of The Known Facts Up To The Charging Of A Suspect
Posted by catnip
[Above: Sonia Marra is at center here - we have many more photos to be added]
This annotated summary below of the known facts of Sonia’s case up to the charging of a suspect is the first of four posts here on TJMK.
Tomorrow I’ll be posting on on the release of the suspect. Then there will be two posts by my fellow Italian-speaker Tiziano, who has translated many of the media reports.
Sonia’s case is of special interest to us here because violence to women happens rarely in Perugia, and a year prior to Meredith meeting her fate, this case placed a cloud over the town.
And there are two other reasons why it is of interest.
- It reflects the caring and discretion which is for the most part to be found in the Italian media - nobody here has been demonized.
- It reflects the extreme caution of the Italian judiciary, which has released the prime suspect when the evidence did not stand up.
These facts are drawn from a number of Italian sources, and you will find all of them below listed the fold (“MORE”) at the bottom of this post.
The known facts
Sonia Marra disappeared on 16 November 2006 in Perugia (n1). She was 25 years old (n2).
Her body has never been found (n3) and nor has her phone (n4) which was switched off on the evening of her disappearance and was never switched on again (n5).
Despite really intense investigations, there has never since been any trace of her (n6).
Her ex-boyfriend Umberto Bindella was arrested (n7) at 6pm on the 18 January 2010 (n8) on suspicion of her murder - he is now released again, see below.
Her family raised the alarm when they were no longer able to make phone contact with her (n9). Her mother called her that night, as she did every day, but her phones were off (n10).
Alarmed, she called her other daughter Anna, who lives in Rome with her boyfriend Paolo (n11). They both tried all night to call her, but were unsuccessful. (n12).
[Above: Sonia’s amazing sister Anna who moved to Perugia and incessantly fanned interest]
On the morning of the 17th, Paolo went to her apartment in Perugia (n13). He was unable to enter, seeing as there was a strong smell of gas coming out. (n14).
At this point, Sonia’s cousin called the Fire Brigade, who gained entry. (n15). The place was all in order. There was no trace of Sonia at all. (n16).
A (young woman) neighbour in Sonia’s building (n17) saw someone on the stairs (n18) matching Bindella’s description. (n19).
According to a witness, on the night of the disappearance, at around 8pm, a car parked underneath her apartment. (n20).
A man got out of the light-coloured car and headed towards Sonia’s first-floor apartment. (n21). He opened the door with keys, without forcing the lock.(n22).
Noises were heard from inside apartment, then the man exited, got into the car and left. (n23).
Sonia was from Specchia (n24) in the Lecce district (n25) of southern Puglia (n26) and she was studying in Perugia (n27) at the University of Perugia (n28) at the Faculty of Medicine (n29) training to become a biomedical lab technician (n30).
She was living alone in an apartment in the Elce zone downhill to the west of the historic town centre (n31) not far from the railway station (Meredith would have passed very close by at times) and the central police station.
She was formerly with the Theological School in Montemorcino, where she had got to know Umberto (n32). She was doing volunteer secretarial work there (n33) and they both lodged there for a time (n34).
The family’s lawyer is Alessandro Vesi (n35) who is representing them during the investigations as “persons injured” (n36).
They never gave up the search for Sonia and the hope of finding her alive (n37). But Vesi says: “The ray of hope of ever seeing Sonia again is diminishing ever smaller.” (n38).
“There is no way that this [arrest of Bindella] can ever be spoken of as a victory.” (n39).
“For the family, it was gut-wrenching to hear the word ‘murder’ tied to Bindella’s interview, and thereby also to Sonia’s disappearance. They were still hoping she would be found alive.” (n40).
“His arrest now has thrown them into deeper despair.” (n41).
According to the family, the young man would be “considered innocent until the last definitive appeal” (n42). “Certainly, his arrest is a strong link in the investigations, but we have to wait for the conclusion of the proceedings.” (n43).
Umberto Bindella, 31 years old (n44) with no previous record (n45), is from Marsciano (n46). He had been under investigation since November 2009 (n47).
He was charged with: wilful murder (n48) and hiding a body (still not found) (n49) and suppressing evidence (a mobile phone) (n50) and aggravated theft (of a phone) (n51) with a view to misleading the investigation (n52) by making it more complex. (n53).
He denied all the allegations (n54) and his lawyers were confident of accompanying him home after a review hearing (n55) which was two hours long (n56) before the GIP Claudia Matteini (n57).
The public prosecutor is Giuseppe Petrazzini (n58). The Chief Prosecutor is Federico Centrone (n59).
The precautionary custody arrest order, requested by public prosecutor Giuseppe Petrazzini and signed by the GIP Paolo Micheli, was carried out by the Carabineri of the provincial command and by the Postal Police (n60).
The order mentioned the possibility of evidence tampering and flight risk. (n61). The arrest was confirmed by his lawyer (n62) as well as by the carabinieri (n63) and the TV program “Has anyone seen them?” (“Chi l’ha visto”) (n64) which has featured the case for a while now. (n65).
The TV program is held in high regard by viewers and is presented by Federica Sciarelli, 51 (n66)
Sonia’s family were said to be “surprised” by Umberto’s arrest (n67). The news had thrown them into deep consternation (n68). They had up until then hoped to welcome their daughter back with open arms. (n69)
[Above: Sonia’s hometown at the south-east corner of Italy, south of Sollecito’s hometown]
The Case made against Bindella
Bindella was the last person to have seen Sonia alive in Perugia (n70). He was interviewed various times previously (n71), in fact 4 times previously (n72). At the last interview, he admitted he was an old partner of hers (n73).
He was interviewed for 3 hours by the Public Prosecutor on 26 November, accompanied by his parents (n74). He was then interviewed as a suspect (n75) and was the only suspect ever (n76).
He had been interviewed in the past as “a person informed of the facts” (n77). His status changed last December (n78).
He has always denied having a relationship with Sonia or being involved in her disappearance (n79). He was only “a passing acquaintance”, “only a friend” (n80). The investigators thought he was lying (n81).
He says they met at the ex-forestiera at the ex-seminary (n82).
His lawyers are Daniela Paccoi (n83) from the “Foro di Perugia” (n84) and Silvia Egidi (n85).
The Public Prosectutor thought the picture against Bindella was clear. (n86). So did the GIP (n87).
Investigators hypothesised there was a (brief) romantic relationship (n88). Sonia was particularly fond of him, they think. (n89). They not only knew each other but there was a relationship going beyond mere friendship. (n90).
That in fact he was her boyfriend. (n91) which he denied (n92),
Just before she disappeared, she bought a pregnancy test kit (n93) (which Bindella says he bought, at her request) (n94) and she had booked a visit to the gynecologist (n95) though she never turned up. (n96).
Triggering the murder prosecutors believed was the news that Sonia might probably be pregnant (n97) and this degenerated into a murder (n98).
It was Bindella who, from the first, informed the investigators that she was having problems because she knew she was pregnant. (n99). He wasn’t ready for the responsibility and so prosecutors believed decided to kill her. (n100)
“I don’t know anything about a possible pregnancy for Sonia,” he told the magistrates at the initial interview. (n101)
But contradicting his assertion were two phone calls with her at the time when she was arranging an appointment with the gynecologist to confirm the pregnancy. (n102)
Phone contact was also made via SMS (n103), just before 8pm, the hour of her effective disappearance. (n104)
The phone records triggered the investigation which led to the arrest (n105) after their analysis by the Postal Police of Perugia (n106)
The phone records established contact between Bindella and Marra, as well as with other people who, when interviewed, provided details useful to a reconstruction of the facts (n107)
As it turned out, she was not pregnant, but perhaps the news arrived too late. (n108).
In November, the Perugia Prosecutor’s Office ordered searches of the area around Montemorcino, where there are deep ravines where it is suspected Sonia’s remains might be found. (n109).
The day after the disappearance, before Binderlla was told about her disappearance, (n110), “I’ve made a right mess of it,” he is understood to have told a police officer friend. (n111). “This is bigger than you or me.” (n112).
There are also doubts about his attendance at an Enlglish course on the night Sonia disappeared. (n113).
The prosecutors’ theory is pure fantasy, said his lawyers. (n114). Thjey said that Bindella, “from the first day, on his own initiative told the investigators that Sonia asked him to but a pregnancy test kit and he did so” (n115).
The prosecution was not certain there actually was a murder and, if there was, that Bindella did it, even if the elements of the case hint at an undeniable involvement. (n116).
Bindella was a bit demoralised by his arrest, but clear-headed and determined to assert his innocence. (n117). His lawyers immediately requested his release. (n118).
His lawyer Paccoi, flanked by her colleague Silvia Egidi, said: “Bindella has answered all the questions put him, furnishing elements which he considered useful for demonstrating his innocence.” (n119). “My client doesn’t understand why he was arrested.” (n120)
“He supplied further particulars regarding his movements prior to the student’s disappearance.” (n121). “In particular, the first two weeks of November, a period which Sonia had described to various people as ‘idyllic’.” (n122)
“But Bindella was not in Perugia for a week during that period, and we have documented proof.” (n123). “In particular, he was in Bologna for exams, and then in Pisa with his mother.” (n124)
“Other investigative leads were not fully followed, especially the possibility of other visitors.” (n125). “Bindella is absolutely respectful of the law, even the road rules, to say nothing of criminal law.” (n126)
Paccoi says that there is no mystery about the remark made to the friend. (n127). Bindella was explaining that the carabinieri were looking for him because he knew Sonia. (n128). He actually said: “What a mess! A friend of mine has disappeared.” (n129)
Even the witness doesn’t remember whether the phrase was “I made a mess” or “It’s a mess” (n130). “Lots of witnesses have modified or rectified their statements as the net drew in” (n131)
“This led in turn to a colpevolista-slanted investigation. (n132). “But I am totally convinced of his innocence, and he is the first innocent that I am defending.” (n133)
“There is no motive” (n134) “It is a case of getting existing facts mixed up.” (n135). “If there is no new evidence, it [the arrest] is a profoundly unjust act.” (n136). “There is no reason at all why my client should remain in prison.” (n137)
Bindella’s lawyer is of completely the opposite opinion (n138). “It’s a given fact that there was no pregnancy.” (n139). “The test was negative; a nursing sister made mention of it.” (n140)
“It is obvious there is nothing new here and we therefore hope to establish that in the rights review hearing, which will probably be Thursday morning”, and further, “It is a given fact that there was no pregnancy and it is not even up for discussion.” (n141)
Sonia’s sister Anna transferred to Perugia three years ago to look for her sister (n142). She says: “finding her alive is only a slim hope now” (n143). “More realistically, I’m waiting to be told where her body is so we can bring her home” (n144)
“Sonia wasn’t expecting to end up where she probably did.” (n145). “Sonia was in love with Bindella” (n146). “Just before she disappeared, Sonia was strange, she told me there was something that wasn’t working for her” (n147)
But “she didn’t have any reason to leave home.” (n148)
Commentator Federica Sciarelli: “There is sadness, yes, but it transforms itself into anger, because in a lot of case, the research into the disappearances were not well done, often leaving dangerous people still on the loose. I’m always astounded by the number of women and girls who have vanished.”
“But call them for what they are: murder with the hiding of bodies. Take the recent case of Sonia Marra, the girl who went to Perugia to study and who called her mother every night: you think it’s possible that she could disappear without leaving even the slightest trace?” (n149)
FOOTNOTES AND REFERENCES BELOW
[Above: The beaches near Sonia’s hometown of Spechia]
Click here for the rest
Posted by catnip on 02/09/10 at 12:05 AM •
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Breaking News From Perugia: An Arrest In The Sad Case of Sonia Marra
Posted by Peter Quennell
Sonia Marra was an Italian medical student who disappeared from her apartment on 16 November 2006, just under one year before Meredith met her fate.
Her disappearance was one reason why some women in Perugia became very nervous on the news of Meredith’s death, and it may have helped color the press coverage.
Sonia’s case more or less fell below the radar even in Italy as the years passed and it never was widely reported elsewhere. But the police never forgot her.
Now they have arrested an ex-boyfriend, and the key evidence is said to be some mobile phone records, extensively analyzed once again.
The only reporting is in Italian. We should have more here on Sonia’s case next week - there is a lot of reporting to condense..
Below: Sonia’s sister Anna, who moved to Perugia and tried to sustain public interest in her missing sister.
Posted by Peter Quennell on 01/19/10 at 09:05 PM •
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“An American Student Kills 62 Years Old Retired Bankteller”
Posted by Nicki
[click for larger image]
Corriere reports that this crime took place yesterday.
The American student was under the effect of psychotic drugs. He was wandering through the streets of Florence. He tried to force entry through a garage door while the victim was in the process of locking it.
The student attacked the retired bankteller and cut his throat with a mirror sliver. He covered the body with a piece of cloth and then left.
Police found him sitting on a bench nearby, a few hours after the murder was discovered. He has already confessed the murder.
Posted by Nicki on 05/07/09 at 02:20 PM •
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Archived in Various hypotheses, Pondering motive, The psychology, The legal followups, Italian related, The wider contexts, Italian context, Hoaxes against Italy, Hoaxes Knox & team, 13 AK persona hoax, 18 No drug use hoax •
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