In Italy, the player who killed his ex-girlfriend with a hammer and a baseball bat ends up in prison for life

Giovanni Padovani killed Alessandra Matteuzzi in August 2022, in Bologna; he will also have to compensate the victim’s family members

Player Giovanni Padovani was sentenced to life in prison for having he killed his ex-girlfriend, Alessandra Matteuzzi, with hammer blows, baseball bats, kicks and punches. The trial took place in Italy, almost two years after the crime. To condemn the athlete, the Italian Court considered a series of aggravating circumstances set out by the local Public Prosecutor’s Office, such as persecution, harassment, emotional bond, frivolous motive and premeditation.

In addition to prison for the rest of his life, Padovani will also have to pay compensation for his mother and sister (100 thousand euros, approximately R$531 thousand), two nephews (10 thousand euros or R$53.1 thousand) and other parties involved (5 thousand euro, R$ 26.5 thousand) in the case.

“I am no longer that man. But if you think it is right to kill a beautiful and intelligent woman like Alessandra, then I deserve life in prison. If you recognize a disorder in what I did and still do, consider everything without being influenced by opinion public. What I did was very serious and unforgivable,” Padovani told the court, according to Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport. He claimed that he was not in the full exercise of his mental faculties when he committed the crime.

The player’s crime

According to the local press, Giovanni Padovani, 27 years old at the time, abandoned his team’s concentration, Sancataldese, in Sicily, and left for the city of Bologna to meet his ex-girlfriend. Alessandra Matteuzzi, 56, arrived home and was ambushed by the player. She was on the phone with her sister Stefania, who heard her screams on the other end: “No, Giovanni, don’t do that. Please, help me”.

When she heard her sister’s desperation on the phone, Stefania immediately called the police, who arrived on site. The player was still at the crime scene. Police officers found Alessandra still conscious, but she did not survive her serious injuries.

The romance between the player and the victim lasted only a year. The distance between the couple was a major factor in the breakup. While Padovani played for a Sicilian team, Alessandra lived in Bologna, in the north of the country. There are more than 1,200 kilometers that separate San Cataldo from Bologna.

Again according to what local sources report, Alessandra Matteuzzi has reported Giovanni Padovani for harassment. He called her often and sent her many messages. The neighbors, however, do not report any history of physical violence, but report that Alessandra had asked the residents of the building where she lived not to allow the player to enter again. The beating, however, apparently began in the atrium of the building.

Source: Terra

Rose

Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.