The spotlights come on 4 network for a new episode of Fourth Degree, scheduled tonight 21: 20. Quarto Grado is now a consolidated program on the television scene, now in its fifteenth edition. As always, Quarto Grado continues to probe the abyss of Italian crime news, bringing to light exclusive details and developments.
Fourth Degree tonight he returns to focus on one of the most controversial and painful cases in Italian news: the grass massacre.
What happened in the Erba massacre
La evening of December 11, 2006 turned into one of the darkest pages of Italian crime news when, in the quiet town of Erba, an unimaginable tragedy occurred. In the house of Chestnut, the lives of four people were brutally cut short: Raffaella Castagna and her little one Youssef, just two years old, Paola Galli, grandmother of the child, and Valeria Cherubini, neighbors, were the victims of an unprecedented massacre. Mario Frigerio, Valeria's husband, although seriously injured, managed to escape death. The crime scene, an apartment transformed into an inferno of violence, was later engulfed in flames in an attempt to erase all traces.
The elements that led to the conviction of Rosa and Olindo
The turning point in the investigations on grass massacre arrived with the arrest of the spouses Roman Olindo e Rosa Bazzi, neighbors of the victims. Their life sentence was based on a number of key elements:
- traces of DNA found at the crime scene,
- testimonies that placed them near the house at the time of the murders
- their own confessions, although later retracted
Admissions, initially considered overwhelming evidence, that have raised numerous controversies because of the circumstances in which they were obtained and the subsequent retraction by the spouses, who proclaimed their innocence claiming to have been induced to confess.
Recantation: what are the elements of the innocence thesis
The legal case linked to grass massacre took an unexpected turn when Roman Olindo e Rosa Bazzi they retracted their confessions, proclaiming themselves innocenti. The elements on which their request is based process review include contesting the validity of forensic evidence original, the possible presence of a alternative motive not sufficiently investigated, e evidence which could exonerate them.
Furthermore, questions have been raised regarding the conducting investigations andinterrogation of the spouses, with the defense arguing the existence of psychological pressures which could have influenced the initial confessions. Elements that have reopened the debate on their effectiveness guilt, leading to a new focus media and judicial on the case.
The trial before the Court of Assizes
The request of process review by Roman Olindo e Rosa Bazzi brought the case back to the Court of Assizes. In this crucial phase, the focus is on new evidence and testimonies presented by the defense, which aim to subvert the conclusions reached in previous trials.
The defense aims to demonstrate inconsistencies in forensic evidence and to provide an alternative context that can explain the presence of the spouses' DNA at the crime scene. Furthermore, the procedures adopted during the initial investigations and interrogations are examined to evaluate the possible presence of defects which may have compromised the validity of the confessions. There Cutting is called to evaluate this new evidence with extreme attention, in a process that keeps not only those directly involved but the entire public opinion in suspense.
Tonight's guests
The episode is enriched with the presence of expert guests, ready to provide unique analyzes and perspectives on the cases:
- Carmen Pugliese, known for its commitment to investigative journalism.
- Luciano Garofano, expert in forensic science, whose contribution is crucial to understanding the complexities of technical evidence.
- Massimo Picozzi, psychiatrist and criminologist, who offers a perspective on the psychology of those involved.
- Carmel Abbate, journalist and writer, known for his in-depth analyzes of news cases.
- Grace Longo, who brings his journalistic experience to the debate.
- Mark Olive, an expert in security and investigations, who contributes his knowledge of the field.
History and management of Fourth Grade
The transmission, started in 2010, has reached its fifteenth edition in 2023/2024. Gianluigi Nuzzi leads the eleventh edition, assisted by Alessandra Viero, celebrating her tenth year as co-host.
Syria Magri curates the program, continuing the path undertaken by predecessors Salvo Sottile, Sabrina Scampini and Elena Tambini.
The commentators and guests of Quarto Grado over time
The commentators and collaborators of "Quarto Grado" may vary depending on the season and the needs of the program. However, over time, some names have frequently been associated with transmission.
- Carmen Pugliese: Former prosecutor.
- Luciano Garofano: Retired general of the Carabinieri.
- Alessandro Meluzzi: Psychiatrist.
- Massimo Picozzi: Psychiatrist and criminologist.
- Carmel Abbate: Journalist.
- Grace Longo: Journalist.
- Mark Olive: Journalist.
- Sabrina Scampini: Journalist and television presenter.
Who are the Fourth Degree conductors
The hosts of “Quarto Grado” are Gianluigi Nuzzi and Alessandra Viero.
Gianluigi Nuzzi
Gianluigi leads the program for the eleventh year. It is a journalist, essayist and television author known for his participation in programs such as "L'Infedele" and "Gli Intoccabili".
He has also gained recognition for some of his own investigative books that have become best-sellers, including “Vaticano Spa”, “His Holiness. The secret papers of Benedict XVI” and “Via Crucis. From unpublished recordings and documents the difficult struggle of Papa Francesco to change the Church".
Alessandra Viero
Alessandra, on the other hand, participates in the program for the tenth edition. It's a journalist who worked for TgCom24 and Studio Aperto and has conducted programs such as “Pomeriggio Cinque Cronaca” and “Domenica Live”. More recently, you also hosted “Stasera Italia”. In 2012, he won the Biagio Agnes Award in the Under 35 category.
