Alessia Pifferi's Sentence Reduced to 24 Years on Appeal
The Milan Court of Appeal overturned Alessia Pifferi's life sentence and reduced it to 24 years. Pifferi, who in July 2022 starved her 18-month-old daughter Diana to death, was originally sentenced to life imprisonment.
Defense and Court's Decision
The defense, led by lawyer Alessia Pontenani, requested that Pifferi be recognized as partially insane and that the charge be downgraded to death resulting from another crime. The court granted this request but maintained the serious nature of the crime.
Attorney Pontenani’s Statement
"I will consider an appeal to the Supreme Court."
Pontenani also remarked that despite the mitigating circumstances, the crime remains child abandonment and expressed dissatisfaction with the 24-year sentence.
Prosecution's Position
Deputy Attorney General Lucilla Tontodonati, in a speech lasting over two hours, defended the original life sentence verdict as appropriate. She emphasized that at least two official reports confirmed that Pifferi was mentally sound when she allowed her daughter to die.
Civil Parties’ View
Lawyer Emanuele De Mitri for the civil parties stated that the court recognized the act as voluntary homicide.
Summary
Alessia Pifferi’s life sentence for starving her daughter to death was reduced to 24 years after an appeal, but the severity of the crime remains legally acknowledged.