Earthquake scientists acquitted in L'Aquila ruling - update

(ANSA) - L'Aquila, November 10 - An appeals court Monday acquitted seven scientists and officials who were members of a Major Risks commission that met days before an earthquake killed 309 people and displaced 65,000 more in and around the city of L'Aquila on April 6, 2009. A court of first instance had sentenced Bernardo De Bernardinis, Giulio Selvaggi, Franco Barberi, Enzo Boschi, Mauro Dolce, Claudio Eva, and Michele Calvi to six years each for involuntary manslaughter. The public in the courtroom shouted "Shame!" as the verdict was read.