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[Music] like many girls growing up in southern Italy in the early 60s Serafina logo was
00:02:16
expected to marry young and start a family of her own by age 15 Seraphina had chosen the man
00:02:23
she wanted to be her future husband a 20 year old a leather cutter from her neighborhood named Pietro Santoro
00:02:32
in contrast to socially Progressive Northern Italy those on the island of Sicily still clung to the ancient belief
00:02:39
that a girl's worth was measured by her Chase nurse if she was a virgin before marriage she
00:02:46
was considered pure and worthy if not she was seen as shameful and immoral no Sicilian man would marry what they
00:02:56
judged to a Dishonored Woman They feared her dishonor would jeopardize the family
00:03:02
standing in the community and damaged the marriage prospects of other female family members
00:03:07
[Music] accordingly Sicilian girls and young women were required to dress modestly
00:03:14
and were permitted to socially interact with unmarried men courtships between young couples were
00:03:21
strictly controlled by their families and in Seraphina La Coco's case her father did not like Pietro Santoro
00:03:30
without his approval there would be no marriage one day in the summer of 1962 Pietro and
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Seraphina performed what was known as a fuetina an elopement of sorts they spend a week together hidden in the
00:03:49
countryside and upon her return home Seraphina informed her father that she was now a Dishonored woman
00:03:57
her father understood the situation before him his own honor that of his family name and of both his daughters
00:04:06
was at stake despite his ill feelings toward Pietro seraphina's father felt he had no choice
00:04:15
according to Sicilian culture dating back Millennia the dishonor could be entirely undone repaired and restored by
00:04:24
the matrimonial reparatory the marriage between the girl and her lover about 12 months later another Sicilian
00:04:36
man 23 year old Felipe melodia set his eyes on the most beautiful girl he had ever seen
00:04:51
[Music] [Music] in the Northwestern Sicilian town of alcamore many locals believed that
00:05:17
Franco Viola's Beauty was destined to lift her family out of poverty despite all the Fanfare regarding her
00:05:25
looks Franca was an unassuming 15 year old she aspired to complete her education
00:05:31
live a comfortable life and travel the world she also dreamed of Falling in Love
00:05:39
unlike Franco Viola whose family were poor Farmers Filippo melodia was born into wolf
00:05:47
he was the nephew of the Undisputed boss of the Casa Nostra the Sicilian Mafia Filippo enjoyed all of the Privileges
00:05:57
that such an association offered he drove around a town in a white Alfa Romeo Julieta and spent his money freely
00:06:05
buying rounds of drinks for his friends at the bar almost daily given alcamore was a stronghold for the
00:06:13
Sicilian Mafia Filippo's position as a future leader was assured with his money good looks and status
00:06:21
felipo was one of the town's most eligible bachelors yet he only had eyes for Franca viola
00:06:31
the pair had made an impact on each other as they exchanged glances and greetings around town
00:06:38
Franca had formed the belief that there was a decent husband hidden behind Felipe's flashy exterior and told her
00:06:45
parents that she would be open to a courtship with him franca's father Bernardo was well aware
00:06:55
of Filippo melodia he'd heard the many stories of philippo terrorizing the neighborhoods of alcohol
00:07:02
speeding through the narrow streets in his Julieta and flashing around his nine millimeter pistol
00:07:10
Bernardo was also aware that the local police had their eye on Filippo as a hard-working honest and humble man
00:07:18
Bernardo Viola had little respect for the young Mafi also days after Franco told her father about
00:07:28
her growing feelings for felipo he arrived at the viola house to introduce himself to her family and begin the
00:07:35
courtship process once inside Filippo announced his intention to be engaged to Franco
00:07:44
Bernardo was not easily intimidated he wanted his daughter to marry a man who would take good care of her
00:07:53
Filippo retorted that there was no better man in alchemol Bernardo then implied that he would
00:08:01
prefer Franca Maria men who worked for a living Filippo was insulted by the remark but
00:08:09
remained quiet eventually Bernardo broke the silence Franca herself had expressed an interest
00:08:18
in felipo so Bernardo was willing to consider an engagement between them on one condition
00:08:24
they got to know each other first Filippo was not the type to take orders from someone he considered a peasant and
00:08:34
he wouldn't have tolerated such disrespect for any other girl but he wanted Franco Viola as his wife
00:08:41
so he was willing to do as her father asked foreign the following week Felipe and Franca sat
00:08:49
side by side on a sofa inside the viola house under the watchful lie of franka's
00:08:54
mother Vita Franca was initially Charmed by felipo who confessed to Franca that he was
00:09:01
crazy about her however after a number of months Franca realized that she didn't Harbor any
00:09:08
romantic feelings for philippo he boasted constantly of his family's wealth his car and his connections to
00:09:16
the mafia he was also being looked into for a string of motorcycle thefts felipo had scoffed at Frank's plans for
00:09:26
the future insisting that she should be satisfied simply by becoming his wife Franca had glimpsed what her life with
00:09:35
felipo melodia would be like and she was not impressed the next time Filippo called at the
00:09:42
viola house Franca didn't appear instead her father informed the young man that he had failed his test
00:09:52
without bernardo's approval Franca and Felipe's marriage would not go ahead for the whole of 1964 the viola family
00:10:04
did not hear a word from Felipe melodia after having been rejected by Franca and
00:10:10
her father Filippo had left Sicily and spent the year in Germany to save face by early 1965 the atmosphere in alchemol
00:10:21
had changed many high-ranking mafioso including felipo's uncle had been arrested
00:10:29
De Casa Nostra no longer had the same Stranglehold over the town those who remained free kept a low
00:10:37
profile wary of alkamo's new police commissioner Lorenzo camilleri upon his return to alcamo felipo was
00:10:48
Keen to pick up where he left off he wanted what he thought was owed to him the mafioso lifestyle and Franca
00:10:57
viola his desire for her had only intensified during his absence in early May 1965 Filippo spied Bernardo
00:11:09
Viola in town and approached him in a callback to their first conversation Filippo told Bernardo that
00:11:17
he had been working while living in Germany hoping to impress the older man Ado replied
00:11:25
it was not a thing before and it is not a thing now Franca has not missed you and she can
00:11:32
find a better husband than you a few weeks later on Friday May 28 Bernardo arrived at his farm only to
00:11:44
find the warehouse where he kept his farming tools on fire upon discovering several empty petrol
00:11:52
cans around the building Bernardo headed into town to report the arson to the police
00:11:59
on the way he crossed paths with Felipe melodia the young man smiled as if in Triumph
00:12:09
later that evening Bernardo was given the message the fire was just a warning two months later 500 Vines were
00:12:21
prematurely cut and destroyed on the viola Farm this was a devastating Financial blow to
00:12:28
the family whose entire income was derived from their Harvest they would just have to make do with the
00:12:35
remaining crops however by October these two had been destroyed Bernardo had arrived to find sheep and
00:12:46
cattle grazing in his field there was nothing left the destruction of his Warehouse tools
00:12:54
and crops meant that the viola family would not have any money for the coming year
00:12:59
when winter arrived they would be forced to turn to public charity for food to eat
00:13:06
Bernardo maintained a cheerful public facade but privately he was humiliated the following day felipo melodia and two
00:13:17
of his friends arrived at bernardo's Farm Filippo informed Bernardo that he must
00:13:24
forfeit his farming land within three days he then lifted his shirt to reveal a nine millimeter pistol tucked into his
00:13:32
waistband there was no question that Filippo was responsible for the damage to the viola
00:13:39
Farm but without any proof there was nothing the police could do meanwhile Franco Viola had become so
00:13:48
terrified of Filippo that she barely left her home in fear of what he'd do next on Christmas Day Filippo melodia
00:13:58
gathered his crew let Franca enjoy Mass with her family he told his boys tomorrow they would ride
00:14:18
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friends without the r best fiends at 7am on Sunday December 26 1965. two men on a scooter slowly wrote
00:17:32
down the narrow streets of central alkamo they turned into via a Rancho passing the near identical Sandstone colored
00:17:42
buildings that line to the street until they reached number 41. they idled in place for a moment before
00:17:49
moving a little further away to an acceptable vantage point eventually they saw a short slightly
00:17:58
punched man in a flat cap and jacket leave the building once he was out of sight the Scooter's
00:18:05
engine buzzed and the two men hurriedly disappeared about 30 minutes later a blue Fiat
00:18:13
seichento and a white Alfa Romeo Julieta Screech to a halt outside number 41. several gunshots were fired into the air
00:18:23
as a warning to Residents to stay inside and mind their business twelve masked and armed men then piled
00:18:31
out of the cars and forced their way inside the viola home Vita Viola screamed for her daughter to
00:18:39
run knowing the man had come to take Franco away beta tried to fight them off but they
00:18:46
knocked her down and kept her pinned to the ground Franca rushed upstairs only to be chased
00:18:53
down by four men who dragged her back down and out the front door franca's eight-year-old brother Mariano
00:19:00
clung to her legs refusing to let go even when he was struck over and over Franco and Mariano were thrown into the
00:19:10
Alfa Romeo Julieta after the car doors slammed shut the two men who were still inside the house
00:19:18
released their grip on Vita who immediately ran outside after her children before she could reach the car she was
00:19:27
punched in the head from behind and fell to the ground a dozen more gunshots were fired into
00:19:34
the air before the Julieta and the seychento sped away Bernardo Viola returned home as quickly
00:19:44
as he could and reported the kidnapping of Franco and Mariano to commissioner Lorenzo camilleri
00:19:51
Vita Viola knew for certain who had kidnapped her children although he'd been wearing a mask Vita
00:19:58
had locked eyes with felipo melodia as he dragged Franco away despite knowing who was responsible
00:20:06
Bernardo and Vita were at a loss wary of Filippo's Mafia connections the couple's neighbors refused to offer
00:20:15
assistance or information fortunately for the violas commissioner Lorenzo camilleri wasn't one to just sit
00:20:23
around and wait he immediately began searching for Franca felipo melodia sped away from alcamo and
00:20:36
into the countryside behind him Franca and Mariano Viola clung tightly to one another in the back
00:20:44
seat Filippo told Franca that after he was done with her she would not be able to
00:20:50
marry any other man but him in defiance she shouted that she did not love him Filippo laughed and retorted
00:21:01
who cares the Julieta eventually came to a stop in front of a remote farmhouse eight-year-old Mariano was pried away
00:21:12
from his sister and driven back towards alcohol [Music] he was later found abandoned on the
00:21:19
outskirts of town meanwhile Franco was dragged inside The Farmhouse screaming but there was nobody
00:21:27
around to hear her cries for help for six days she was starved taunted and insulted by Filippo melodia
00:21:37
by the seventh day Franco was weak she lay on the floor semi-conscious and barely able to move
00:21:46
Filippo then raped her for the first time he knew under any circumstances where an
00:21:56
unmarried girl or young woman loses her virginity even in the case of rape she would become a shamed woman
00:22:05
the dishonor to herself and her family could then only be repaired through the matrimonial reparatory
00:22:13
to enact such a fuetina as the one felipo was doing was most certainly a crime but Filippo knew the law was on his side
00:22:24
article 544 of the criminal code read quote the crimes of kidnap and rape would be
00:22:32
extinguished by the marriage between the victim and her rapist this law applied even if the victim was
00:22:41
a minor at the beginning of January Felipe covertly relocated Franca from The Farmhouse to his sister's house in
00:22:52
alcamo by this stage the melodia family had been in contact with the viola family
00:22:59
and to negotiations were underway knowing full well what Filippo was up to with Franco the two families were
00:23:08
nearing an agreement on a wedding date on Thursday January 6 1966 12 Days After Franco Viola was kidnapped commissioner
00:23:23
Lorenzo camilleri and his officers had felipo melodia's sister's house surrounded
00:23:30
they demanded that felipo released Franca immediately there was a commotion from inside the
00:23:38
house and then suddenly two figures appeared on the second story balcony Filippo held up a visibly weak Franco
00:23:47
Viola in front of him as the officers leveled their guns at Filippo Franco shouted don't shoot
00:23:57
the police lowered their weapons satisfied with this outcome Felipe agreed to surrender Franca and watched
00:24:06
as his teenage captive collapsed into the waiting arms of her father Felipe offered no resistance when
00:24:14
commissioner camilleri placed him under arrest he just smiled broadly and asked for a
00:24:21
cigarette Filippo then looked to Franca in anticipation he believed she would insist that he be
00:24:30
released and become her husband as it was the only way she could remedy the disgrace she now brought upon her family
00:24:37
as a Dishonored woman Franca paused in front of felipo melodia looked him in the eyes and told him
00:24:47
I will never marry you goodbye Filippo's smile vanished and the police took him away
00:25:00
reunited with her family and safely back home Franca agonized over rumors that her father had agreed for her to be
00:25:08
married to Filippo during her time in captivity Bernardo assured his daughter that the
00:25:14
marriage negotiations were just a ruse in order for commissioner kamalari to discover where she was being held
00:25:22
with no marriage planned Frank is fate and that of her family was uncertain Vita worried for her daughter's future
00:25:31
but Franco was confident in her decision she insisted that she would rather remain unmarried her entire life than be
00:25:40
married to a man such as felipo melodia a man without honor in standing her ground Franca Viola had
00:25:50
become the first Sicilian to ever refuse a matrimonial reperator with her rapist
00:25:57
Bernardo Viola just wanted his daughter to be safe and happy but he knew that the price for her resolve would be high
00:26:09
in the months leading up to felipo melodia's trial life for the viola family was Grimm
00:26:17
the earlier destruction of their Farm meant that they had little money and food was scarce
00:26:24
Bernardo was desperate to find work but no one in the town or surrounding Villages would hire him
00:26:32
Franca became reclusive shutting herself inside her home to avoid hostilities and
00:26:37
judgment from the public the violas were guarded Around the Clock by police to ensure none of felipo
00:26:45
melodia's family or friends followed through on their death threats many of the townspeople admired Franco's
00:26:54
courage but they still considered her decision to be ill-advised they believed that even a girl as pretty
00:27:01
as Franco would never find a husband now only was she Dishonored but she was also
00:27:08
poor during a council meeting for the town of alcohol it was proposed that the council
00:27:16
stand in solidarity with Franca her family and all others who had been bullied the proposition was unanimously approved
00:27:25
but when one counselor stood up and rhetorically requested a show of hands as to who among them would be willing to
00:27:32
marry any Dishonored woman no one moved in December 1966 Franco Viola and her parents arrived at the Trapani
00:27:45
Courthouse under armed police escort of the 500 or so Spectators who packed the courtroom the vast majority were the
00:27:54
family and supporters of Filippo melodia and his accomplices the room was palpably hostile towards
00:28:02
the viola family who endured the crowd's insults and death threats even their lawyer was met with the Jews
00:28:10
and spirit the violas sat behind the public prosecutor and their own lawyer on the other side of the room were the
00:28:19
lawyers representing each of the accused all 12 of the defendants including felipo melodia were present inside the
00:28:28
courtroom locked behind the defendant's bars under oath Felipe melodia told the court
00:28:36
that he and Franca Viola were in love and that her father Bernardo had called off their engagement against franca's
00:28:44
wishes Felipe said that he and Franca had arranged the fuetina together in order
00:28:51
to force her father's hand he claimed that they had been consensually intimate many times during
00:28:58
their escape but it was old news as they had already had sex two years prior during their initial courtship
00:29:07
he elaborated saying that there were moments during his visits to the viola house where he and Franco were
00:29:13
unsupervised to prove their clients assertions felipo's defense team requested that
00:29:21
their medical expert be granted permission to physically examine Franco Viola in order to prove that she lost
00:29:28
her virginity many months or even years prior to the fui Tina the prosecution vigorously objected to
00:29:37
the request and it was ultimately denied by the court [Music] Filippo also claimed that he and Franca
00:29:46
had planned the details of the staged kidnapping the day prior on Christmas Day in a show of solidarity with his
00:29:55
co-accused Felipe stated that while he had received assistance none of the other 11 men charged had been present at
00:30:03
the time of the phony kidnapping he declined to name any of his actual helpers given the fuetina was an agreed upon
00:30:13
Arrangement between himself and a Franca no actual kidnap or rape had been committed
00:30:21
felipo melodea concluded that franka's true wish was to marry him but her tyrannical father would not allow it
00:30:31
after Filippo stepped down the defense called a long procession of witnesses who supported his claims
00:30:39
one by one they provided Alibis for each of felipo's accomplices most were said to have been at work all
00:30:47
day some at home one in the market in town and one at The Barbers in support of philippo's claims that he
00:30:57
and Franca were in love and the fui Tina had been pre-planned between them the defense called a woman named Anna
00:31:04
lungaro Anna lived next door to felipo's sister and witnessed the brief standoff between
00:31:12
felipo and the police Anna testified that Franca had not shouted don't shoot in fear of her own
00:31:20
safety but had actually yelled don't shoot he is my husband in order to protect the man she loved from the
00:31:28
office's bullets as the defense concluded their case none of the twelve accused men in the
00:31:36
defendant's cage seemed at all worried about their fate they talked and joked amongst themselves
00:31:42
smoked cigarettes and laughed the prosecution's argument was simple in clear violation of the law the twelve
00:31:54
defendants had kidnapped Franco Viola and then Felipe melodia had raped her multiple times
00:32:02
the prosecution conceded that under Section 544 of the criminal code these actions would cease to be crimes in
00:32:10
relation to all defendants if and when Franco Viola married Filippo melodier however given franca's continued refusal
00:32:20
to do so which was her right the fact of the crimes remained whether in fear of physical reprisal or
00:32:30
simply the social stigma no one in the community was willing to testify on behalf of the viola family
00:32:38
the prosecution's case was limited to what those within the family claimed on the stand
00:32:45
both the Vita and Bernardo testified as to the events leading up to their daughter's abduction
00:32:52
they confirmed that back in 1963 Franca was indeed engaged to Felipe melodia albeit conditionally on the two becoming
00:33:02
more acquainted after spending time with Filippo Franca had realized that she did not want to
00:33:09
marry him and so his proposal was rejected franca's parents testified to the campaign of intimidation and destruction
00:33:18
that followed despite the defense's attempts to prove otherwise Vita maintained that all of
00:33:26
philippo's accomplices were in the courtroom that day even though they had been wearing face
00:33:33
coverings when they took her daughter Vita was able to recognize all of those involved
00:33:39
[Music] franca's aunt and grandmother both testified that they along with Frank his
00:33:46
parents sent her brother Mariano all enjoyed Christmas day together at no time did Franca have any
00:33:54
interaction or conversation with Filippo as he had claimed finally Franco Viola sat in the witness
00:34:03
box she described her ordeal at the hands of Felipe melodia in clear and precise
00:34:10
detail [Music] she denied that the fui Tina had been pre-planned between them maintaining
00:34:17
that none of what she had endured was consensual Franca firmly stated that she was not
00:34:24
now or had ever been in love with Felipe melodia Franca was pressed as to why she had now
00:34:33
gone against all tradition by refusing to marry felipo and restore her own honor and the social standing of her
00:34:40
family she replied I am not the property of anyone honor is lost by those who do certain
00:34:50
things not those who suffer them after providing her testimony Franca stayed away from the courthouse for the
00:34:59
remainder of the trial she could no longer face the endless intrusion of reporters and photographers
00:35:06
nor the constant Demand by felipo maladia's supporters to drop the charges and marry him
00:35:15
instead Franca would rely on her father's reports of the day's proceedings despite continued threats to his life
00:35:25
Bernardo never missed the day of the trial in their closing statement the prosecution requested exemplary
00:35:36
sentences for each of the defendants to illustrate to everyone that violence should not be rewarded
00:35:43
they suggested that Filippo Melody's accomplices received sentences ranging from four months to 13 years
00:35:51
proportionate to their respective roles in the kidnap of Franca viola for felipo himself a sentence of 22
00:36:00
years and 10 months was put forward as deserving and just the defense continued to argue that no
00:36:09
crime had been committed as Franca was in on the entire plot but should the court find a cause for a
00:36:17
conviction the defense said it would be unfair for felipo melodia to pay dearly for his actions committed in accordance
00:36:24
with the social customs of the time on the seventh and final day of the trial the presiding judges retired to
00:36:33
deliberate the case to the local community and Sicily as a whole the trial marked a potential
00:36:41
turning point in their social history at 5 30 that evening the judges delivered their verdict
00:36:51
the court found resoundingly in favor of Franca Viola and sentenced Felipe maladia to 11 years in prison for kidnap
00:37:00
and rape eight out of his 11 accomplices also received prison sentences the reaction of those in the courtroom
00:37:11
was stunned silence Italian newspaper La stampa reported and with felipo melodia this lesson will
00:37:22
be listened to by many other Sicilians who like it or not will have to know that something new is stirring in our
00:37:31
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things she loves like playing with her beautiful dog Benji this holiday season give yourself the
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gift of stress-free holiday shipping use promo code case File today at shipstation.com to sign up for your free
00:39:13
60-day trial that's shipstation.com promo code case File 48 year old cameraman Patrick McDermott
00:39:25
was the on and off boyfriend of Olivia Newton-John in 2005 he boarded an overnight fishing charter off the coast
00:39:32
of Los Angeles when the boat disembarked the following day Patrick was nowhere to
00:39:38
be seen in season 2 of suicide poppy Daemon and Alice fines dig deeper into Patrick McDermott's case than anyone has
00:39:46
before to answer the question did Patrick die at sea or did he disappear deliberately to begin a new life
00:39:55
Suicide Season 2 is out now available for free only on Spotify stay tuned to the end of today's episode
00:40:03
to hear the trailer thank you for listening to this episode's ads by supporting our sponsors
00:40:11
you support casefile to continue to deliver quality content as the courtroom emptied reporters were
00:40:26
able to briefly speak with the patriarch of the melodia and Viola families Filippo Melody's father Vincenzo
00:40:36
indicated he was not at all worried about his son's conviction as there was still time for the matrimonial
00:40:42
reparatory with such a marriage the law allowed his son's crimes to fall away even after the
00:40:49
sentence had been handed down Vincenzo was upbeat suggesting that the wedding could be arranged very quickly
00:40:58
he stated I really don't understand why Bernardo doesn't want to in his place I would
00:41:06
have married Franco and felipo in contrast Bernardo Viola remained steadfast that his daughter would never
00:41:16
marry felipo melodia the viola family was simply Keen to get on with their lives
00:41:24
when asked about Frankie's future Bernardo confirmed that she had obtained her driver's license and was studying to
00:41:31
become a typist during the previous year Franca had received dozens of letters of support
00:41:38
for her decision not to marry her reburst and she had already received hundreds of written marriage proposals
00:41:47
Bernardo was confident that Franca would be just fine immediately after the trial felipo
00:41:55
meladia's legal team appealed his sentence and in July 1967 they were marginally successful
00:42:04
sentence was reduced to 10 years in prison with two years of supervised confinement
00:42:11
[Music] it was still dark on the morning of Wednesday December 4 1968 as 20 year old
00:42:21
Franco Viola walked slowly down the aisle between the Chapel's pews a bouquet of orange blossoms stood out
00:42:29
against her White Satin and lace dress and her smile radiated through the white Veil that covered her face
00:42:37
at the end of the aisle was 25 year old accountant Giuseppe ruisi Franco and to Giuseppe had gone to
00:42:47
school together and had lost touch in the years that followed they were reacquainted at a reunion
00:42:53
between their families in 1966 right before Franca was about to face Filippo maladia in court
00:43:02
Franco was already dealing with the severe public scrutiny of that decision so she had kept her courtship with the
00:43:09
Giuseppe a secret he became her Rock calling Franco regularly as she remained hidden away in
00:43:17
her home waiting for updates on the trial from her father after the stress and attention of that
00:43:24
ordeal faded away Giuseppe proposed at first Franco refused she feared that felipo melodia would
00:43:35
find out and have Giuseppe killed however Giuseppe persisted telling Franca that he'd rather spend a short
00:43:43
life as her husband than her whole life with any other woman as soon as Franco accepted his proposal
00:43:52
Giuseppe applied for the marriage license and as a contingency a license to carry
00:44:01
Franca and Giuseppe opted to keep their wedding ceremony a small and private affair
00:44:08
only close friends and family were invited and the ceremony took place at dawn a number of the police who had protected
00:44:17
the violas in the lead-up too and during the trial were in attendance as was franca's lawyer who had become a
00:44:25
close friend of the family since the trial Franca and Giuseppe received congratulations and wedding gifts from
00:44:33
the Italian president Giuseppe saragad and from the Italian Prime Minister Giovanni Leone
00:44:41
as the sun rose on their nuptials the newlyweds made their way to Rome for a private audience with the Pope
00:44:52
after serving 10 years for the kidnap and rape of Franco Viola felipo melodia was released from prison
00:45:00
he was immediately transported to Northern Italy where he would be confined to the town of mordena for the
00:45:07
next two years to complete his sentence under supervised release at no point did philippo show any
00:45:15
remorse for his crimes on Wednesday April 12 1978 after finishing his day's work at an auto body
00:45:25
shop 38 year old Felipe melodia made his way to a bar near his apartment [Music]
00:45:32
still wearing his Dirty Work overalls he sat down to watch a replay of the day's
00:45:37
Champions League football match on the bars television screen just after 8 30 PM the owner of the bar
00:45:45
called out to felipo from across the room telling him that he had a phone call a police Marshal was on the other line
00:45:54
felipo was told he Strode over to the phone and announced his presence down the receiver
00:46:01
but there was no response untroubled Filippo hung up the phone and decided to head home
00:46:11
as he went to leave two men appeared and blocked his path one of the men lifted a shotgun and
00:46:20
fired twice into Filippo's chest it was a textbook Mafia execution on Monday December 19 1966 less than 48
00:46:36
hours after Philippe melodia was found guilty and sentenced to prison 22 year old Mateo traravalo was walking
00:46:44
with her mother Dennis trade in the Sicilian town of salami all of a sudden a car stopped alongside
00:46:52
Mattea and three men wrangled her into the vehicle mattea's mother was knocked to the
00:46:59
ground and could do nothing but watch as the men drove away with her daughter Matteo was held captive and repeatedly
00:47:08
raped by her ex-fiancee Andrea vitioso after four days the police Tracked Down Mateo to an empty Cottage on the
00:47:18
outskirts of town Andrea vitioso insisted that no crime had been committed as Mateo had agreed
00:47:26
to marry him with the support of her family and emboldened by the courage and resolve of
00:47:33
Franco Viola before her Matea denounced her rapist she told the police that she had never
00:47:40
agreed to run away with Andrea and that she would never marry him Mattea had Andrea vitioso charged
00:47:49
immediately 24 days later eighteen-year-old Carmela Parisi was kidnapped in central Sicily
00:47:57
and raped by Franco matura despite her family's wishes for her to marry her reburst Carmella became the
00:48:06
third Sicilian girl to refuse the convention the floodgates had opened girls and young women throughout Sicily
00:48:16
were now breaking the tradition that had punished them for centuries it took a further 15 years before the
00:48:24
law that rewarded sexual violence with marriage was finally repealed [Music] in 2014 66 year old Franco Viola was
00:48:36
awarded the honor of grand officer of the order of Merit of the Italian republic by then president Giorgio
00:48:44
Napolitano Franco received the award for her brief but powerful contribution to the
00:48:51
emancipation of women in Italy the following year Franco agreed to a rare interview with Italian newspaper La
00:49:00
republika in which she reflected on her life and experiences she emphasized the importance of family
00:49:09
support and explained the advice she had recently given to her granddaughter quote
00:49:16
you have to decide what is right not what is convenient [Music] [Music] [Music] in 2004 Olivia Newton-John and her
00:49:54
handsome cameraman boyfriend seemed to be madly in love with each other but less than a year later this seemingly
00:50:01
besotted couple had split and then quite suddenly Patrick McDermott vanished his
00:50:08
disappearance was so sudden so total and so mysterious that some people think he
00:50:15
faked his own death so here's a guy that's poor okay that's hurting owes back child support and I believe that
00:50:25
the pressures of that and the pressures of oh my God I'm gonna have to go to jail and my son's gonna have to see me
00:50:32
in jail and I think it was just too much for him months after he vanished alleged
00:50:37
sightings began apparently McDermott was in Mexico and I was sitting there at the bar
00:50:43
having adult beverages and this guy was walking around going table to table with
00:50:49
like an artist rendering of an image of Patrick and he came to our table and he goes do you recognize this person I go
00:50:57
you know what I think he's staying at my surf camp in season one of suicide we brought you nine different stories of
00:51:04
death Road Through the Ages now in season two we're investigating The Disappearance of one man Patrick
00:51:11
McDermott so I'm interested to give you a question too because you said that you
00:51:17
were doing an article there or a journalism piece on people who had faked their death like do you really think
00:51:24
that Patrick McDermott faked his death join me poppy Damon and me Alice fines as we unravel the mystery week by week
00:51:32
in sudicide only on Spotify you're like where is he and that's horrible for somebody that that you know you cared
00:51:42
about where is he that suicide beginning with a p only on Spotify