Dammit....I knew it....
JANUARY 16th, 1993
You're used to big engines, Rontini.... not these narrow spaces...
And you're starting to talk to yourself too....
Who'se there?
If you're here for the scooter come back 2 days...
Actually I heard you were looking for some help.
You're a mechanic? -I know about engines...
Show me what you can do then... put the spring back on.
Come on.
News of the day, the monster of Florence has finally a face...
Here's the story...
Commissioner!
How did you get to the arrest of Pacciani?
The proves we collected were enough for us to proceed, it's all I can say so far.
Renzo!
Try now...
I tell you straight...the pay is low...
I can't afford big expenses. -Doesn't matter, as long as I get to do this job.
You like fixing engines this much? -I've always been into practical things...
Me too.....you're hired.
My name is Massimo. -Renzo.
Renzo!
What's going on?
They got him....they arrested the monster!
Sit down, please.
Ah....sorry...
I'll make some room...
Nevermind....we don't need to sit... -No no...just a second...
So...you're here for... -To bring a civil action.
Right...and the reason is....
Our daughter is dead. -I see...and which trial would it be?
The one on Pietro Pacciani.
The trial about the monster...
Are you up to that?
Miss...no more calls for at least 1 hour.
Alright...
Tell me everything, from the beginning.
It happened in '84....the night of July 29.
Is it the first time you see him? -Yes.
What impression do you get from him? People say he doesn't look like a monster...
I don't care what he looks like.... round here we all know who he is...
Enter the judge.
Everyone in this room has the same question...
Who is Pietro Pacciani?
Why he's been connected to the murders?
And most important, why is he sitting right now in the defendant chair?
Could you tell us, commissioner Perugini?
We started from two points...
First, an FBI evaluation, talking about a solitary killer...violent...
And the second?
That the monster hasn't killed since '85.
Why that? What can it mean?
That either he died or wasn't able to kill anymore.
Wasn't able to kill anymore...
What could be the reason? What's your opinion?
He could've been sick....or in jail...
I'm guessing Pacciani fits into these two points...
Could you tell us why, commissioner?
Well, cause Pietro Pacciano is a violent....a peeper....a sex maniac.
He was in jail in 1987...for abuses on his wife and on his daughters.
But this doesn't make him a murderer.
Pacciani has already killed once.
Order!
Order! Please!
Continue, commissioner.
It's an old story...in '51 Pacciani caught his girlfriend, Miranda...
In a field, with another man.
Emptied the man's wallet on the ground... -Exactly.
1981, Scandicci murder....
The contents of the purse were scattered on the ground, but nothing was missing.
Just like in the '74 murder.
The murderer emptied the purse but didn't take anything.
There's another thing you should consider. -What is it?
During the intercourse the man had his hand on Miranda's left breast...
Pacciani himself said that at the time.
Why is that so important?
Cause two of the victims had their breast removed....
The left one...
You wanna go out? -No, I'm ok....
The session is adjourned, will continue today at 4 p.m.
Duccio... -Oh, Renzo...
Who's that kid you hired? -Why?
Why? He hasn't fixed my tractor yet!
Calm down, maybe it's got some bad damage.
I caught him with a girl! Working on her instead of the tractor!
Don't worry...I'll fix it by tomorrow.
Hell! You said today!
It's not a good day...I said tomorrow, alright? -If you're nervous just say it...
See ya... -Tomorrow!
Hi....I caused some trouble I think...
Don't mind Duccio, he's a hot head...
Enough for today, come on... you dine with us tonight.
Enjoying that, are you?
Take it slow....if you get an indigestion we'll have to close the shop!
Here....this month's paycheck.
Thanks Mr. Rontini. -Enough with "Mr" already...
Alright, Renzo.
You go straight home now? -No, I'll stop by the shop to fix that tractor.... I gotta earn this.
Say thanks to your wife. -I will.
He reminds me a lot of Pia, the same vitality.
I really needed to unwind, after today...
President, Mr. Pacciani would like to make a statement.
Go ahead...
So, Mr. Pacciani....will you explain why you killed that man?
I used to love Miranda...
We had been engaged for over a year, it was time to get married.
But one day...this woman....I caught her with another man...and I was jealous...
But she went like: "He took me against my will! Beat him up!"
So your girlfriend did instigate you.
Yes and I went for him but he was so much bigger than me...and he started chocking me...
So I reached into my pocket and.... I'm a farmer, I always carry a cropping knife...
And then....damn that knife.... if only I hadn't find it, nothing would've happened...
After that, the whore wanted to make love with me....
Actually what we have in the records is that you forced her...
Judge....let me tell you this...
I done wrong...I killed a man... but it was either him or me...
And I paid for that, with years of jail...
But this monster thing... I got nothing to do with that!
Calm down....we've just begun...
If the defendant has finished... I have another witness...
Pacciani's daughter, Rossana Pacciani.
Miss, do you still live with your father?
Not anymore....I live far from home now.
Don't you miss your family? Your father? -No...I don't wanna see him anymore.
Can you tell us why?
He did bad things to me and my sister...
What bad things?
Please look at me, not at your father... he can't harm you now.
Tell me about those bad things.
He used to lock us in the bedroom and then he showed us a picture.
What kind of picture?
Of him when he was young, with his girlfriend...
Doing things...
You mean having sex? -Yes...
Show it to her.
Is this the picture?
Yes.
Show it to the judge please.
What did he do after that?
He took out some things.... and if we said no he'd beat us...
He used to rape you and beat you then...
I'm going out...I need some air...
I have no more question, your honor.
I couldn't take it anymore.... I had to go out.
You should have seen that girl, still terrorized by the father.
I can't believe a man would do such things to his daughter...
He's not a man...
He's a monster.
Someone says it wasn't him, that he's just a poor farmer...
But I looked into his eyes, Winnie... I looked good...
I saw only evil.... and I hope everyone else will see it.
And the judges too...
Now, Pietro, you gotta tell me everything...
Confess....everything you keep inside yourself...
Only the Lord and I will know...
The Lord already knows...
What...
That I'm not keeping anything inside, nothing to be known...I'm innocent!
Innocent! You believe me, don't you?
If the Lord knows, then I do too...
Yes, Pietro...I believe you.
Now let's pray...in silence, with our eyes closed.
I call as witness Mr. Luca Giannelli.
Mr. Giannelli, do you know Pietro Pacciani?
Yes.
When did you meet him?
I don't know him personally... but I heard about him.
Heard about what, Giannelli? -Everybody knows...Pacciani is a peeper...
Be more clear, please.
He spies on couples while they're making love.
Alright...
There's an episode that connects you directly to Pietro Pacciani.
Won't you tell us about it? -Yes..
I was in my car with my girlfriend...
And we were...well...in a recess...
Luca...
Stop it...my parents are waiting for me.... -Don't worry...I'll take you home...
Holy shit!
The place was not well lighted, and you were very agitated...
How can you be sure that the man with the gun was Pietro Pacciani?
Cause the next day I went to Mercatale, to be sure...and I saw him there.
So the next day Pacciani had his arm in a cast,are you sure? -Yes.
Do you remember when all this happened?
I'm not sure, but I think it was the summer of '84.
Could you be more specific, please?
I think June, or maybe July...
Before July 29, 1984?
The day Pia Rontini and Claudio Stefanacci were killed? -I can't remember...
Before July 29, Giannelli??
I think so...
You think so.... and why didn't you report it to the police then?
Well...I didn't feel like going to the police then...
You didn't feel what?? If you had reported that time my daughter would be alive today!
You're a criminal!
That's enough, Giannelli....you can go.
Stop! Look at me!
You're a murderer, just like Pacciani! Look at me I told you!
Hey! This is a courthouse! -Let me go!
Calm down...
I'll take care of him, I'm his lawyer. -Calm him down then.
Rontini, you can't do such things...
What now....are you sick? -It's nothing...
Let's sit down for a minute...
I'm ok...
Listen....stop coming to these hearings... I'm here for that...
You stay home and rest. -No...
It doesn't make any difference if you're here...
I'm going back into that courtroom, that's it.
Commissioner, what did you do after identifying Pacciani as the monster?
I ordered a search.
Pacciani was in jail at that time, for abuse on his daughters.
We searched every corner of his cell.
Any results?
We found some interesting things...
A book...."Ruling the demons"....
Some erotic drawings made by Pacciani himself...
And many porn magazines.
What did he do after the search?
For what I know, Pacciani wrote a letter.
How do you know that, Mr. Nesi?
Cause I'm friend with Pacciani...
And with the person to whom the letter was sent.
And who is this person?
The postman of San Casciano.
Being?
Don't make me pull the words out of you... who is this man?
Mario Vanni.
So Vanni did receive a letter from Pacciani.
And how did he react?
Let's go, you gotta drive me to a place. -Hey, drink something with me...
I gotta bring this to Angiolina, Pacciani wrote me from the prison! -Let's go!
What did Vanni say to Angiolina, Pacciani's wife?
I don't know...I stayed in the car.
But I'd never seen Vanni so scared.
So, Mr. Vanni.....could you tell us what's your profession?
Nothing, we just used to have some "snacks" with Pacciani...
Silence!
Vanni...you got off to a bad start...
Sounds like you been taught what to say.
We did nothing wrong, we were just "snack buddies"...
Silence!
Just "snack buddies"...
Mr. Vanni, are you afraid of Pacciani?
You said it in the interrogatory...
I'm a little afraid...
Why are you afraid?
Alright....what was written in that letter?
I can't remember....I ripped it...
Why did you rip it? -I can't remember...
I see... you can go now.
We'll rise again, anyway.... President, we'll rise again!
Go away, Vanni...just go...
Silence!
Silence, please!
What you're thinking, Rontini? -I think I saw that man before...
Let me help you, you need some rest.
How lucky I am with such a caring husband...
You look like you got something on your mind that bothers you... am I right?
Yep...
And which thought that might be?
The face of a man from San Casciano.... Mario Vanni.
I saw him at the trial, but I'm sure I had seen him before...
We don't know anyone from San Casciano, apart from the Calamandreis...
You're right... Calamandrei is from San Casciano...
I'll be back for dinner.
Are you going to San Casciano? -It won't take long, don't worry.
A coffee please. -Right away.
I'm looking for a man called Mario Vanni, do you know where I could find him?
Yes, I just served him... he's at the table outside.
Mrs...
Goodday.
May I help you? -Yes...I'm looking for Dr. Calamandrei.
Sorry...he's not here.
Really? I saw him 2 minutes ago...
Right...he just left, but you can leave a message...
Nevermind... thanks.
Have you ever been to San Casciano? -A few times, why?
I was there today, I got a weird feeling...
What you mean? Weird people? -Yes...
I was looking for a guy, just to ask him some...
But why am I telling you... -Come on, tell me...
Where's the extractor?
Dammit...
You got a visit... -Oh, hi...
You go, I'll finish.
Really? -Don't keep her waiting!
Thanks.
Have a nice evening.
Here...
Are you sure I have to do this? -Yes...
Just sign it, it's for your own good.
Come on, I'll bring it to the lawyer.
It's for our future... let's go.
Chief Perugini, how did you proceed after searching Pacciani's cell?
We decided to search his house too.
I found this.
What are those digits?
It's the price... 4,60 German Marks.
Marks? Are you sure of that?
Cause the album was made in Germany...
We asked the INTERPOL to make some researches...
It came out that Horst Meyer,
One of the kids killed in Giogoli,
Had bought an album like that just before coming to Italy.
Which has not been found on the crime scene, right? -Right, it was never found.
Then what did you do?
We asked the INTERPOL to compare the handwriting...
of the saleslady that sold the album with the writing on the album itself.
A calligraphic exam....which led to?
She's the one that wrote the price on this album.
This album was bought by Horst Meyer in the shop by his house.
And it ended up in Pacciani's house.... I wonder how that's possible...
Your honor, I'd like you to look at this evaluation as well...
About the album? -About the murder of the german kids...
I'd like to go on without being interrupted...
I insist...
What's going on? -Just the defense doing his job...
Alright...let's look at that.
Yes....ehm...
Will you stand up, Mr. Pacciani?
You talked about an evaluation...
I'll get there...
What's your height, Mr. Pacciani?
About 1.60... (5' 3")
The evaluation.... -Here it is...
This is a ballistic exam about the murder of the two Germans...
It clearly states that whoever shot the gun that night...
Was not shorter than 1,80 mts (6')...
1,80 who murdered the two Germans...
1,60 Pietro Pacciani.
Now I ask you, how can he be the shooter?
If the defense is done with his theater...
I would like to go on with my reconstruction, please.
Continue. -Thanks...
Chief Perugini, what happened after the search inside the house?
We searched the surroundings as well.
What's there? -Nothing.
Give me that.
This is a 22 caliber bullet, Winchester...
With an "H" on the bottom...
The very same used by the monster.
Found in Pacciani's garden.
Your honor, Mr. Pacciani would like to speak...
Speak.
When I saw that thing I said :"What's that? A nail?"
"If so it's a funny nail."
"It's a shell" said the commissioner...
"I never saw a shell in my house... someone put it here..."
And who did it wanted to frame me...
He even washed in in acid to make it look older, that scum...
...that no good man, may he get a cancer and vomit blood....
Cause I'm innocent, your honor...
And there's someone here that wants my bad... wants to frame me.
Your honor, I can't take these insinuations.
Mr. Pacciani...nobody wants to frame you here....
We're just trying to reconstruct what happened.
So if you're done, we can continue.
Hey! Where did you get those?
What you want? -Where did you get it?
What you want, old man? -Where??
In Florence....it's in every market...
Are you sick? -Don't touch me!
Don't touch me...
This guy is nuts...
Let's go back to the Scopeti murder, to the police reconstruction...
The murderer approached the tent from the back...
Keep it in mind cause it's important.
The boy got out from the opposite side....
And ran away, trying to save himself.
But in spite of his advantage, after 10 meters the murderer caught him and killed him.
An athlete? I don't know...
All I know is that Pacciani was 60 yrs old at the time.... and already had two heart attacks.
The defense is omitting that the boy had a wounded shoulder...
Just slightly...
Please, get to the point.
Apparently the prosecution has decided that Pacciani is guilty...that's all we hear...
Omitting proves and witnesses that could lead to the real murderer.
Listen...it's not time for the closing statements yet...
So please stick to the point.
Yes... I call Mr. Baldo Bardazzi as witness.
Do we have Bardazzi...
Mr. Bardazzi, do you know them?
Yes....they used to hang out at my bar.
What's the last time you saw them?
The day they were killed.
In which circumstances?
In the afternoon, about 4,30... I know it cause it's when the waitress arrives.
I thought that man was a revenue officer, checking out if they got a receipt.
Martina....did you give Pia the receipt? -No...
No?? -No.
But he didn't came back in, so...
Can you describe that man?
About 30 yrs old, short light hair...
Seemed quite athletic...but I only saw him from the back... I didn't see his face.
Height?
1,80....a little taller than me.
You think that man could be Pietro Pacciani?
No way...
A man followed Pia and Claudio from the bar...
A few hours before the murder.
A man 1,80 tall...like the shooter at Giogoli...
Athletic.... like the murderer at Scopeti...
A man that wasn't Pietro Pacciani.
Possibly the real murderer.
The bartender doesn't remember well... tell them I want to speak.
Your honor, my client would like to make a statement.
Alright.
Mr. Bardazzi is wrong...at that hour Pia wasn't in his bar.
Why, Mr. Rontini?
Because at 4,30 Pia was home with me.
How can you be so sure about the hour?
I told you....we were home.
Yes but how can you be sure it was 4,30... Did you look at some clock?
If you didn't look at the clock, how do you know the exact hour?
Because that was the last time I saw Pia alive.
If I'm getting it right, you thought it was 4,30...
But only in a second time... and still you're not sure, right?
Our lawyer didn't believe me...
And Canessa didn't say anything.
Don't you wanna eat something?
You gotta eat.... -Wait!
To you, Pacciani is the monster? -No...it doesn't look like.... to me he's just a farmer.
What do you think? -He's the perfect scapegoat...
We don't think he's guilty...he's not the monster.
See? They think he's innocent!
This way the judges gonna think that too!
Sit... -Canessa gotta let me talk, or he's gonna be released.
Goddammit!
"I know you are good... you didn't do those things...
...they wish your bad...
...but be strong...
...in the end, with God's help, you gonna have justice...
...I stand by you."
Alessia from Catania.
They're hundreds...all like this one.
Don't worry, Pietro...you're not alone...
Out there many people love you.
Sister, I gotta ask you a favor... -Of course, tell me...
Could you save some things for me?
No way! After what happened I won't let you speak again in the courtroom.
At least listen to me first...
I can prove that Pacciani owned a 22 gun...
If I let you speak and you're wrong again, the defense will throw a party...you realize that?
I'm not wrong.
Tell me what you know...
Bruni, the game warden from Vicchio, caught Pacciani poaching...
Shooting pheasants with a Beretta 22.
Why Bruni didn't report him?
Cause Pacciani threatened him with a pitchfork...
He said he would have killed him.
There's no record about this story, how come you remember it only now?
At least you remember who told you that? -Of course....Bruni himself.
Everybody knows that....just ask around.
Why ask the whole town? We'll just ask Bruni.
Mr. Bruni, do you know Pacciani? -Yes, of course.
Is he a poacher? -Not that I know...
So you never saw him shooting pheasants with a gun... -No, never.
Are you sure, Mr. Bruni?
Yes...otherwise I would remember it.
To your knowledge, did he own a 22 gun?
Not to my knowledge.
Let me speak...that man is lying. -Are you sure?
Why then you told Mr. Rontini you saw Pacciani hunting with a gun?
I've never told anyone something like that....never.
I remind everyone that this is a courtroom... we evaluate proves, not rumors.
Still...or it gonna look bad.
He'll be absolved today...I can feel it. -Stand still...
People think he's innocent...
Kids like Claudio and Pia think he's innocent... the judge will think that too.
You did all you could do... you can't change people's mind.
Give me a minute. -You don't have to come....
Today I wanna be there...just a minute.
Winnie...
I'm glad you're coming...
I'll be quick.
Chief, however it's gonna end I wanna thank you for what you've done.
I have to thank you as well, and so does the state...
You had the courage to face this courtroom...
And sometimes it's worth more than policemen's work.
As prescribed, the defendant has got the last speech... go ahead, Mr. Pacciani.
I trust in your conscience...
Everything I knew I told you....
I've always worked like a mule in the fields...
And for these facts I'm innocent just like God on the cross.
Believe me... I...
Look... Jesus is my brother and he's gonna prove the truth.
A paesant... working all day in the field...
Don't even have the time to tie my shoes...
What can I do more.... all I told is true...
Please, your honor....my heart is broken....
The court adjourns to deliberate.
They're taking long....
Too much...is not a good sign...
Is it ok? -I can't breath...I'm too nervous...
I shouldn't have brought you... -No...staying home would've been worse.
When all is over I wanna go back to work.
Massimo can't do it all by himself... and with the few money I pay him....
I wanna renovate our house, paint it all.
The court is back.
Let's go... I'm ready.
In the name of the italian people, the Court of Assizes in Florence declares Pacciani Pietro...
Guilty of all the charges.
Sentence him to life in prison, with daily isolation for the first 3 years.
I'm innocent!
You murderers!
Enjoy your victory but prepare for appeal...
And you gonna need real proves... not clues...procurator...
What you say we drop at the shop?
I wanna tell Massimo the news.
Shouldn't he be at work today?
He's young....he probably closed earlier to stay with his girlfriend.
Let's go.
We got mail.
The courthouse?
What's that? -I don't know...
I gotta turn up at the Labour Court... -Why?
Massimo reported me cause I let him work undeclared...
Let's go inside...
Let me do this, Winnie...
Renzo, stay here! -Let me do this!
Renzo... -Why? Tell me why!
Give me a reason...
You want more money...is that what you want? -No Renzo...
Cause it's a matter of money, isn't?
Here's your money then...
What you're doing...put 'em away... -Take your money! Take it!
Massimo doesn't want your charity, he wants his rights...
Take back your change and leave.
Why??
Massimo! I treated you like a son!