Reason for businessman killing his wife and father plague judge

Despite having last year found Vincenzo Pietropaolo guilty of murdering his elderly father and estranged wife, it’s clear the unanswered question of why the former Bank of Athens treasurer did it still plagues Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng.

The case came before Mokgoatlheng, sitting in the South Gauteng High Court, for arguments ahead of sentencing on Friday, when social worker Anette Vergeer took the stand for the defence.

In her evidence, she described Pietropaolo’s upbringing as modest but said his parents – who immigrated from Italy to South Africa when he was just a boy – worked hard to ensure it was stable and loving. She explained how he had been intensely career-driven, working hard to provide for his family and to progress through the ranks professionally.

But even she had to concede Pietropaolo – who still maintains his innocence – showed no remorse.

“This is an educated person with several degrees. And he’s refined. This court is not dealing with an uneducated, uncouth person,” the judge said to her.

Pietropaolo came from a decent family and had managed to work his way up to the “upper echelons of South African society,” he went on.

“But then he commits the most horrendous murders – he emptied a whole magazine into the body of a woman who had borne three children for him. I can’t imagine a more cruel death,” Mokgoatlheng said.

“And once it has happened, he’s not even man enough to say he’s sorry. He knows he’s disappointed his family – his brother, his children – but he won’t give them the satisfaction of closure. He keeps saying he didn’t do it”.

In November, Mokgoatlheng found Pietropaolo guilty of having murdered first his elderly father, Pasqualino, whose death was initially thought to be as a result of a home robbery gone wrong, and then nine months later his estranged wife, Manuela.

He also found him guilty of robbery with aggravating circumstances, unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition and defeating the ends of justice.

Pietropaolo has decided not to testify in mitigation of sentencing. The judge  asked his advocate, Riaan Gissing, if he had warned his client the court could make adverse findings against him as a result. Gissing confirmed he had, but agreed to take instructions one more time. Pietropaolo’s position remained unchanged, though.

Speaking on his client’s behalf, Gissing agreed a custodial sentence was the only appropriate option but pleaded with the court to show him mercy, and “not to lose sight of the accused as a human being.”.

But state advocate Lwazi Ngodwana was having none of it.

“If this court is looking for cases which fall into the worst category of murder, it should look no further,” Ngodwana said.

He described both the deceased as “defenceless”.

“And the accused has not shown even a shred of remorse,” he added.

The case was postponed to later this month for sentence to be delivered.

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