Overview

• On April 29 the Milan Court of Appeal found Le Iene author Riccardo Festinese and presenter Alessandro De Giuseppe guilty of aggravated defamation for suggesting lawyer Stefania Cappa was involved in her cousin’s 2007 murder.
• Judges determined the May 2022 Le Iene segment relied on retracted statements by Marco Muschitta while ignoring earlier court decisions that had cleared him and acquitted Alberto Stasi.
• Cappa was awarded €10,000 in provisional compensation and the defendants were each sentenced to a €500 fine for damaging her reputation.
• The verdict underscores the legal boundaries investigative programs face when broadcasting allegations without verifying sources or acknowledging contrary rulings.
• Gianni Buscagin’s recent testimony prompted prosecutors to reopen the Chiara Poggi murder investigation and launch fresh forensic analysis in Garlasco.