The defence lawyer for the
former captain of the Costa Concordia cruise liner presented an
appeal on Thursday against a 16-year sentence handed to
Francesco Schettino for his role in the 2012 shipwreck.
Earlier this year a court in Grosseto found Schettino
guilty of multiple manslaughter, causing a shipwreck and
abandoning his passengers. It handed him the 16-year sentence
but said he would not go to prison until the appeals process is
complete.
Defence lawyer Saverio Senese said on Thursday that he
thought the sentence was wrong.
"I view the punishment inflicted on Schettino as extremely
exaggerated, and I ask that the captain be absolved," said
Senese.
"It is necessary to stop viewing Schettino based on the
negative bias that has emerged against him, making him a
scapegoat for the inefficiencies and errors attributable to
others," he said.
In recent days Grosseto prosecutors have also filed appeals
to the Florence court, asking for Schettino's sentence to be
increased to the 26 years in prison they originally requested.
Meanwhile consumer groups have filed appeals highlighting
the responsibilities of Costa Crociere, the company that
operated the vessel.
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