Visit our Popular Forums

Pelagic · 03-12-2014, 02:24

Thought it would be interesting to have a poll on how many years Francesco Schettino, captain of the wrecked Costa Concordia will be sentenced for manslaughter.

Extra points if you guess the exact number of years

My guess is it will be 19 years.

Costa Concordia wreck captain testifies in trial - CNN.com

**GordMay** · 03-12-2014, 06:10

I'd guess less than 5 years (say 4 years 6 months).

Five people were found guilty of manslaughter, negligence and shipwreck: Roberto Ferrarini (the company's crisis director) received the longest sentence at two years 10 months. Reuters cited judicial sources as saying none of these individuals are likely to go to jail as sentences less than two years for non-violent offences are routinely suspended in Italy, and longer sentences may be appealed or replaced by community service.

➥ UPDATE 3-Five people sentenced to jail for Costa Concordia disaster | Reuters

barnakiel · 03-12-2014, 07:07

Where is the jury? If it is in Italia then he is innocent.

b.

Pelagic · 03-12-2014, 09:26

Trial is in Italy. Gord, I think those already sentenced were plea bargains which they refused to give to the captain.

K_V_B · 03-12-2014, 11:04

Italy is not a common law country. So there are no juries. No plea bargains. I suppose that they just kept the best for the end...

Sent from my iPad using Cruisers Sailing Forum

Dsanduril · 03-12-2014, 11:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by K_V_B

... No plea bargains....

Not sure where you get that idea. Italy seems to be all about plea bargains:

Naufragio Costa Concordia, confermati i cinque patteggiamenti - Il Fatto Quotidiano'

the five other convicted persons all agreed to plead guilty in return for a pre-defined sentence. Don't know what else to call that besides a plea bargain (Italian patteggiamenti can be translated as "settlement" or "plea bargain").

Schettino's attorneys have twice requested a plea bargain from the court (in return for a reduced sentence of course) and have been turned down by the court. The prosecution is seeking a minimum of 20 years FWIW. I suspect he will be hit with a long sentence that gets reduced on appeal.

Pelagic · 03-12-2014, 14:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dsanduril

I suspect he will be hit with a long sentence that gets reduced on appeal.

I agree.... My impression of Italian courts is that they really are swayed by public opinion and the population seems really pi$$ed off with the captain

Les Crawford · 04-12-2014, 08:32

In Italy and France and several other European countries, you are guilty until proven innocent. This will be a long drawn out affair. He should be given life. The ships master has the responsibility, to the safety of his ship, passengers and crew at all times. This jerk was one of the first to leave the stricken ship. He should be put away for life.

Les

**Dockhead** · 04-12-2014, 15:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Les Crawford

In Italy and France and several other European countries, you are guilty until proven innocent.

Les

Urban Legend. Article 27 of the Constitution of Italy provides that a criminal accused is presumed to be innocent. In France, the same thing since 1792. Even the Romans had it: Ei incumbit probatio qui dicit, non qui negat. There is much genius in the English legal system, but contrary to popular belief, we did not invent the presumption of innocence, nor do we have a monopoly on it today. Why, even the Russians have a strong presumption of innocence in their 1993 constitution.

Pelagic · 04-12-2014, 15:45

What interests me about the outcome of his trial is to see how his arrogance will be rewarded
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worl...after-God.html

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worl...Concordia.html

avb3 · 04-12-2014, 16:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dockhead

Urban Legend. Article 27 of the Constitution of Italy provides that a criminal accused is presumed to be innocent. In France, the same thing since 1792. Even the Romans had it: Ei incumbit probatio qui dicit, non qui negat. There is much genius in the English legal system, but contrary to popular belief, we did not invent the presumption of innocence, nor do we have a monopoly on it today. Why, even the Russians have a strong presumption of innocence in their 1993 constitution.

At least in Canada, we have had an erosion of "innocent until proven guilty". the Firearms Act is certainly one of them, and in many cases, administrative penalties are assessed (environmental law often), without the ability to appeal. Slippery slopes do exist.

**GordMay** · 10-12-2014, 10:01

Francesco Schettino walks into a bar.
"I'll have a whisky," he says.
"Sure," says the barman.
"Is that straight up, or ... uh ... never mind"

Seymore · 11-12-2014, 20:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pelagic

Thought it would be interesting to have a poll on how many years Francesco Schettino, captain of the wrecked Costa Concordia will be sentenced for manslaughter.

Let he who is pure of blemish point the first finger.