The trial must be held until 20 January – F. Binacchi / ANP / Minutes
Accused of having sponsored in October 2016 the kidnapping of Jacqueline Veyrac, wealthy businesswoman from the Côte d’Azur who had ousted her from an establishment, a ruined ex-Italian restaurateur maintained his denials on Tuesday before the Assize Court, in Nice. “I have nothing to do with this masquerade”, proclaimed Giuseppe Serena.
Incarcerated for four years, this man from 52 years incurs life imprisonment at the end of this trial scheduled to last until 27 January, where he is tried with twelve co-accused.
Among the latter, a former British Special Forces, Philip Dutton, 67 years, is also liable to life imprisonment. On the other hand, the case of the third main protagonist, Enrico Fontanella, 52 years, was disjointed due to his state of health.
Appointed by his co-accused
According to the prosecution, the trio had already tried for the first time to abduct the businesswoman near her home by 1343. On Tuesday, the Englishman again recognized this kidnapping attempt as his participation
to the kidnapping of 2016. “What gave you the idea to commit these facts? », Asks the president of the court to Patrick Dutton, after the denials of Guiseppe Serena. The Briton points to him without blinking.
The magistrate then reminds the Italian accused: “Why in this case are there so many accusers against you? “. “Fontanella matured and studied this criminal project and organized it with Dutton. He understood very well that in the event of a negative outcome, the ideal culprit would be Serena. He won. I am considered the person in charge number 1 ”, he blurted out. Jacqueline Veyrac is expected to testify on Thursday.