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Italy gripped as Yara trial begins over alleged murder of 13-year-old girl Italy gripped as trial begins over murder of 13-year-old Yara Gambirasio
(35 minutes later)
Italy’s highest-profile child murder trial has opened following an unprecedented DNA investigation which saw the alleged killer arrested after the exhumation of his father’s body. Italy’s highest-profile child murder trial has opened following an unprecedented DNA investigation that saw the alleged killer arrested after the exhumation of his father’s body.
Crowds gathered outside the courtroom on Friday in Bergamo, northern Italy, while Massimo Bossetti was ushered in through a back door. Bossetti, who is accused of killing Yara Gambirasio, 13, in November 2010, was arrested last June after investigators claimed he was a match for DNA found at the crime scene.Crowds gathered outside the courtroom on Friday in Bergamo, northern Italy, while Massimo Bossetti was ushered in through a back door. Bossetti, who is accused of killing Yara Gambirasio, 13, in November 2010, was arrested last June after investigators claimed he was a match for DNA found at the crime scene.
Bossetti denies murder and his lawyers have called for the DNA evidence to be scrapped, arguing it is not sufficient proof that he killed the Italian teenager.Bossetti denies murder and his lawyers have called for the DNA evidence to be scrapped, arguing it is not sufficient proof that he killed the Italian teenager.
Related: The murder that obsessed Italy | Tobias JonesRelated: The murder that obsessed Italy | Tobias Jones
The Yara case has captivated Italy and reached such a level of importance that the arrest was announced by the interior minister, Angelino Alfano.The Yara case has captivated Italy and reached such a level of importance that the arrest was announced by the interior minister, Angelino Alfano.
Bossetti and Gambirasio were living in Brembate di Sopra, a town about 60km north-east of Milan, when the teenager failed to come home after gym class on 26 November 2010. Despite a large-scale search following her disappearance, it was three months before Gambirasio’s body was found in a field 10km away. Bossetti and Gambirasio were living in Brembate di Sopra, a town about 25 miles ( 40km) north-east of Milan, when the teenager failed to come home from the gym on 26 November 2010. Despite a large-scale search following her disappearance, it was three months before Gambirasio’s body was found in a field 10km away.
She had suffered multiple injuries and died from exposure after being abandoned by her attacker, who had not raped her, an autopsy found.She had suffered multiple injuries and died from exposure after being abandoned by her attacker, who had not raped her, an autopsy found.
The crime scene discovery gave investigators new hope of finding evidence that could be used to trace her killer, but it was not until April 2011 that forensics located male DNA, prompting investigators to label their prime suspect Ignoto 1 – “Unknown 1”. The crime-scene discovery gave investigators new hope of finding evidence that could be used to trace her killer, but it was not until April 2011 that forensics located male DNA, prompting investigators to label their prime suspect Ignoto 1 (Unknown 1).
A vast scientific investigation followed, with 18,000 DNA samples tested and numerous false leads scrapped. Police discovered Ignoto 1 to be the child of Giuseppe Guerinoni, a local man who had died in 1999, after his nephew gave a DNA sample.A vast scientific investigation followed, with 18,000 DNA samples tested and numerous false leads scrapped. Police discovered Ignoto 1 to be the child of Giuseppe Guerinoni, a local man who had died in 1999, after his nephew gave a DNA sample.
Guerinoni’s body was exhumed in March 2013 and in June the following year, investigators unearthed his affair with Ester Arzuffi, identifying Bossetti as their illegitimate child. Police set up a fake roadblock breathalysing drivers to get a DNA sample from Bossetti, who was arrested a day later and charged with Gambirasio’s murder.Guerinoni’s body was exhumed in March 2013 and in June the following year, investigators unearthed his affair with Ester Arzuffi, identifying Bossetti as their illegitimate child. Police set up a fake roadblock breathalysing drivers to get a DNA sample from Bossetti, who was arrested a day later and charged with Gambirasio’s murder.
Natale Fusaro, a criminology professor at Sapienza University of Rome, said the case has been driven by the public’s desire for justice. He said: “The investigation continued because the death of this young girl caused a stir: there was great commitment by law enforcement agencies and civil society who searched for her for months. The public wants to know who killed this girl.” Natale Fusaro, a criminology professor at Sapienza University of Rome, said the case has been driven by the public’s desire for justice. He said: “The investigation continued because the death of this young girl caused a stir: there was great commitment by law-enforcement agencies and civil society, who searched for her for months. The public wants to know who killed this girl.”
Gambirasio’s parents were not in court for the trial’s opening and have chosen to appear only when called to testify.Gambirasio’s parents were not in court for the trial’s opening and have chosen to appear only when called to testify.
Bossetti was kept in prison before the trial, which is set to last for months, having seen numerous bail requests rejected. The next court date is set for 17 July. Bossetti has been kept in prison before the trial, which is set to last for months, having seen numerous bail requests rejected. The next court date is set for 17 July.