A Venice probation court has
suspended work release for Doina Matei, who in 2007 was
sentenced to 16 years in jail for killing 23-year-old Vanessa
Russo after stabbing her in the eye with an umbrella, said
Italian daily Corriere della Sera on Wednesday.
The paper said that the court made its decision after some
photos of Matei appeared on Facebook.
Matei's defence attorney Nino Marazzita said Matei was
granted semiliberty status nine months ago, which allows her to
work in a social cooperative in Venice during the day and return
to prison in the evenings, and that this status hasn't been
revoked but "only suspended".
"Matei has been the victim of a media bomb," Marazzita said
regarding the photos.
"Maybe she let herself get carried away by vanity. It must
be understood that she's still a girl, and let's not forget that
she comes from a terrible family background," he said.
Marazzita said he has to await a summons by probation
judges in order to discuss the next steps for Matei.
A judge said a final decision on the suspension would be
taken in 30 days.
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