The trial opened this morning in Palermo against six adults accused of the gang rape of a girl. The victim was not present at the preliminary hearing and is in a shelter outside Sicily.
The defendants are Angelo Flores, Cristian Barone, Gabriele Di Trapani, Christian Maronia, Samuele La Grassa, Elio Arnao, all in prison and on video link for the hearing. Their lawyers should ask for summary judgment, which provides for a reduction of one third of the sentence. A young man who was a minor at the time of the rape has already been convicted of a gang rape. The trial takes place behind closed doors in the courtroom of the second section of the assize court. For confidential support call the Samaritans in the UK on 08457 90 90 90 90, visit a local Samaritans branch or see www.samaritans.org for details. In the U.S., call the National Suicide Prevention Line on 1-800-273-8255.