FORMER treasurer of the Bank of Athens Enzo Pietropaolo’s trial began on November 12 at the Johannesburg High Court.
The trial continued until November 14. Pietropaolo is accused of murdering his estranged wife, Manuela (Mannie), firing nine shots at her at her home in Iris Street, Brackenhurst, last year. He is also accused of murdering his father.
Summary of the trial:
November 12:
Pietropaolo pleaded not guilty to the murder of his wife and his father. He admitted to a charge of culpable homicide against his deceased wife. He also pleaded guilty to stealing the firearm from his father’s house and carrying an unlicensed firearm.
Craig Pietropaolo (son of the accused) testified against him.
November 13:
Pietropaolo’s girlfriend, who works at the Bank of Athens, testified on behalf of the State today. She said she had dinner with him the night Mannie was killed and then he left.
She stated that Pietropaolo went to his father’s house in Rosettenville to meet an estate agent and buyer. He was due to come back to her house in Randburg that evening to fix her garage door but when she spoke to him over the phone he agreed to do it the next day.
She said when she woke up in the morning she had received a WhatsApp message from Pietropaolo saying he was sorry, that he had killed her and that he was going to jail.
She testified that she didn’t know Mannie and said Pietropaolo never spoke about her, but she did know he was married. She doesn’t know why he did it and he didn’t tell her what happened when she saw him a year ago in custody.
Pietropaolo’s brother, sister-in-law and a police officer also testified about his father’s murder – eight months prior to Mannie’s murder. The court heard that Pietropaolo was the last to be seen with his father, there was no forced entry into his home and only two firearms stolen from the safe – no other valuables.
November 14:
Mannie’s sister testified on November 14. She said she was at Mannie’s house about two hours before she was murdered. She further stated there was no arrangement for Enzo to arrive at the house and that Mannie wouldn’t have wanted him there.
She said Mannie’s son’s car papers, that she had requested from Enzo, had already been dropped off in the post box that morning. She also stated that she did not know why he would go back if the papers have been dropped.
She also described Enzo and Mannie’s relationship as a difficult one, where he emotionally abused her for many years.
Two CPF members also testified. They described arriving at the murder scene and finding Enzo back at his Randburg home trying to remove the number plates from his vehicle.
Supporters for Mannie wore black T-Shirts with ‘Justice for Mannie’ on it during the court cases.
The trial continues on the November 22 and Pietropaolo remains in custody.
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