Until the end, he swore he was innocent. But the Court of Assizes of Cosenza has established that Isabella Internò was the instigator of the murder of Denis Bergaminiher ex-boyfriend, a Cosenza footballer, killed in competition with other still unknown individuals. Internò, present in the courtroom with her husband – who had fallen ill – was sentenced at first instance by the judges to 16 years of prison, after eight hours in chambers and 34 years. The public prosecutor, Alessandro D’Alessio and Luca Primicerio, had asked for 23 years of imprisonment.
The facts date back to November 18, 1989: along State Road 106 in Calabriathe talented Cosenza Calcio midfielder dies in mysterious circumstances. The official version spoke of suicide: Denis, after an argument with his ex-girlfriend, threw himself under a moving truck. The truck driver, Raffaele Pisano, confirmed this version, claiming that the footballer had suddenly thrown himself under his vehicle, without giving him time to brake.
From the beginning, however, Denis’s family and friends found it difficult to accept this explanation. Those who knew Bergamini described him as a cheerful boypassionate about life and football, with no obvious signs of depression. Doubt began to arise: was it really possible that Denis had taken his own life in that way, or was there something darker behind it?
In the years following his death, numerous inconsistencies came to light. The initial autopsy examination appeared hasty, and some testimonies did not add up. The truck driver and his ex-girlfriend gave versions of events that left more questions than answers.
In 2011, more than 20 years after his death, the case was reopenedthanks also to media pressure and the request for new forensic examinations. Investigations revealed that Denis had not died as a result of the investment. New forensic analyzes conducted in 2017 highlighted signs of suffocationand reported that the footballer’s body had been placed on the road only after his death, to simulate a suicide.
With the new discoveries, suspicions began to converge on the people close to Denis at the time of his death, in particular on his ex-girlfriend, Isabella Internò. The woman, who was with him that night, has always supported the suicide version, but new investigations cast doubt on her credibility. In 2019, Internò was formally investigated for premeditated murder.
He reiterated to the Court: «The discussion was lively. Denis was shocked. It was a moment: I saw him dive under a truck.” But this version did not convince the president of the Assizes Paola Lucente and the judges who, after 3 years of debate, were convinced of Isabella Internò’s responsibility in a trial which, according to prosecutors, was “circumstantial” but “full of scientific evidence without which it could not have been done”.
According to the new judicial truth, Denis Bergamini left the Cosenza retreat to meet Isabella Internò, with whom he had broken off all relationshipsand she went to that appointment with the hope of solving all the problems related to their relationship, which he had already announced that he wanted to end. But, according to the ruling of the Court of Assizes, the woman had planned the murder.
«Now my brother can finally fly. I dedicate this sentence to the fans of Cosenza football and to the whole city, to my father who is no longer here, to my mother and my children who have always hoped for justice”, commented the footballer’s sister. And, regarding the sentence, «I don’t care about anything at this point the principle was established that Denis was killed».
The Court excluded the aggravating circumstances of cruelty and the use of poisonous substances, and sentenced Internò toperpetual disqualification from public offices and civil rights for the duration of the sentence. The accused was therefore sentenced to compensation for damages to be quantified separately. The reasons for the sentence will be filed within 90 days.
Denis Bergamin was born in Ferrara on 18 September 1962and had demonstrated an extraordinary footballing talent from a young age. After his first steps in the Spal youth team, he arrived at Cosenza Calcio in 1985where he quickly became one of the pillars of the team: he was loved by the fans and respected by the experts. There were rumors of his imminent leap to Serie A, with several teams ready to bet on him.
Source: Vanity Fair
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