It looked like one of those cases without any prospects, in which going to the Assizes could lead only to a pointless massacre.
It looked as if Cervellati was right and that the only way of reducing the damage was to opt for the shortened procedure.
The thing that nailed my client most of all was the testimony of the barman. He had made a statement to the carabinieri the day before Abdou was arrested. He had been heard again, a few days later, by the public prosecutor in person.
A perfect witness – for the prosecution.
I read and re-read the two reports, on the look-out for any weak points, but I found almost nothing.
That of the carabinieri was a summary report written in the most classic police-station jargon.
On the 10th day of August 1999 at 19.30 hours, in the offices of the Operations Unit of the Carabinieri of Monopoli, before the undermentioned non-commissioned officers of the criminal police Sergeant-Major Lorussa Antonio, Sergeant Sciancalepore Pasquale and Lance-Corporal Amendolagine Francesco, all of whom are attached to the aforementioned Command, there appeared Antonio Renna, born Noci (Bari) 31.3.1953, resident in Monopoli, Contrada Gorgofreddo 133/c, who when properly questioned as to facts falling within his cognizance stated as follows:
Witness replied: I am the proprietor of the commercial premises denominated “Bar Maracaibo” situated in Contrada Capitolo, Monopoli. During the summer months my premises remain open from seven in the morning until nine at night. In the management of the aforesaid commercial concern I am assisted by my wife and two of my children.
Witness replied: I was acquainted with little Francesco Rubino and in particular with his grandparents, who are proprietors of a villa situated at a distance of approximately 300 yards from my bar. They have been spending holidays in Contrada Capitolo for many years. The grandfather of the child frequently visits my bar to purchase and consume a coffee and smoke a cigarette.
Witness replied: I am acquainted with the non-European citizen whom you inform me is named Abdou Thiam and whom I recognize in the photograph you have submitted for my inspection. He deals in counterfeit leather goods and passes nearly every day in front of my bar on his way to the beaches where he sells his wares. On occasion he visits my bar to take refreshment.
Witness replied: I recall having observed the aforesaid non-European citizen on the afternoon of the boy’s disappearance. He passed in front of my commercial premises without the bag which he habitually carries with him and he was walking rapidly as if in haste. He did not stop at the bar.
Witness replied: The non-European citizen was proceeding in a northerly-southerly direction. In effect, he was coming from the direction of Monopoli and proceeding towards the beaches.
Witness replied: The house of the missing boy’s grandparents is situated at about 300 yards south with respect to my bar. If I am not mistaken, it stands almost opposite Duna Beach.
Witness replied: I am unable to indicate with any precision the hour at which I saw the non- European citizen pass. It might be between 18.00 and 18.30 hours or perhaps even 19.00 hours.
Witness replied: I did not observe the non-European citizen pass on his way back in the opposite direction. That day I did not see him again at all.
Witness replied: If I remember rightly, I learned of the disappearance of the child the day subsequent to the fact. Before being summoned by you carabinieri I had not been aware of being in possession of information relevant to the inquiries, and that is to say it had not occurred to me to connect the passing of Thiam that afternoon with the disappearance of the child. If it had occurred to me, I would have presented myself of my own accord to collaborate with the law.
I have nothing more to add and in witness thereof I append my signature.
Cognizance is taken of the fact that the present statement, due to the unavailability of recording equipment, has been drawn up only in summary form.
Read, confirmed and undersigned.
The evidence given to Cervellati was complete, in the sense that it was recorded and stenotyped. Here the person in possession of the facts did not use improbable expressions such as “the aforesaid commercial premises” or “purchase and consume a coffee”. But the upshot was the same.
On 13 August 1999 at 11.00 hours, in the offices of the Public Prosecutor, and before the Prosecutor Dr Giovanni Cervellati, assisted in the drafting of the present document by legal clerk Biancofiore Giuseppe, there appeared Antonio Renna, whose particulars are already documented.
It is here noted that the present statement will be documented in full by means of shorthand typing.
Question: Well then, Signor Renna, some days ago you made a statement to the carabinieri. The first thing I want to ask you is whether you confirm it. You remember what you said, don’t you?
Answer: Yes, yes, sir.
Question: So you confirm it?
Answer: Yes, I confirm it.
Question: Let us, however, recapitulate what you said. In the first place, I take it you already knew the non-European citizen Abdou Thiam?
Answer: Yes, sir. Not by name, though. The name I learned from the carabinieri. I recognized him from the photograph they showed me.
Question: You know him because he often passed in front of your bar and on some occasions had something to drink. Is that so?
Answer: Yes, sir.
Question: Would you care to tell me about the day the child disappeared? That day, that afternoon or evening, you saw Thiam, didn’t you?
Answer: Yes, sir. He passed my bar between half-past six and seven.
Question: Did he have his bag of goods?
Answer: No, he didn’t have the bag and he was rushing along.
Question: Do you mean that he was running or that he was in a hurry?
Answer: No, he was hurrying. It wasn’t that he was exactly running, but he was walking quickly.
Question: In which direction was he going?
Answer: Towards the beaches, which is more or less the direction to take to the child’s grandparents’ house-
Question: All right, towards the beaches. That means from north to south, if I have understood correctly.
Answer: Yes, from Monopoli towards the beaches. Question: Did you see him pass on the way back?
Answer: No.
Question: You told the carabinieri that you knew the boy, and his family also, particularly the grandparents. Do you confirm this?
Answer: Yes, I confirm it. The grandparents have a villa 300 or 400 yards past my bar, more or less in the direction the young Moroccan was going.
Question: Moroccan?
Answer: Non-European citizen then. We use the word Moroccan for all these young niggers.
Question: Ah, I see. Do you recall any other detail, any other fact relevant to the inquiries?
Answer: No, sir, but in my opinion it absolutely must have been that Moroccan because-
Question: No, Signor Renna, you must not express personal opinions. If some other fact comes to mind well and good, if not we can bring this statement to an end. Does any other specific fact come to mind?
