Marin (CA) classmates found guilty in murder of Italian police officer, given life sentences

[marmar]

Finnegan Lee Elder and Gabriel Natale-Hjorth, a pair of former Marin classmates who met up in Rome on vacation and became inextricably linked through the slaying of an Italian police officer, are guilty of murder, an Italian jury ruled Wednesday.

They were both sentenced to life in prison.

The jury consisted of presiding judge Marina Finiti, a second judge and six civilian jurors. They deliberated for 12 hours before delivering their late-night verdict at nearly 11:30 p.m.

Elder, now 21, and Natale-Hjorth, 20, who met at Tamalpais High in Mill Valley, were on vacation in Italy in 2019 when they scuffled in the street with two Carabinieri officers. Deputy Brig. Mario Cerciello Rega, 35 years old and fresh off his honeymoon, was stabbed to death. His widow, Rosa Maria Esilio, wept as the verdict was read. Elder, who was standing, put his hands on the table in front of him as if to brace himself. Natale-Hjorth showed little emotion at all. .......(more)

https://www.sfgate.com/crime/article/2021-05-elder-hjorth-bay-area-rome-trial-verdict-16150827.php?

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. So many lives wasted here.

A good man dead.

And two young men who were about enter adulthood, now imprisoned.

For drugs.

What a waste.

[dawg day]

2. "Scuffled?"

Elder told the court in March he brought a knife to the meeting because "it gave me a sense of protection." Prosecutors say he stabbed Rega 11 times.

Renato Borzone, one of Elder's lawyers, argued in court that Elder has "psychiatric problems" and a constant paranoia about being attacked, feelings that were triggered during the confrontation with police.


They're from the 'mean streets" of Marin County. Privileged enough to go to Italy on vacation, tried to steal from a dealer.... Not our finest export.