Schettino lawyer presents appeal against 16-year sentence

(ANSA) - Florence, September 24- 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.