The drawn features and the exhausted air, the alleged victim of a relative of the mafia had to testify even if he was overwhelmed by the jet lag, he who is in Asia.
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“Mr. Judge, I have to wake up in three hours to work …”, launched the alleged victim of Nicola Spagnolo today, during his testimony by videoconference.
From his hotel room where darkness could be seen through the window, the 29-year-old man, who cannot be identified by court order, was to recount the tragedy he experienced on August 2 2020. That evening, he was allegedly stabbed in the stomach by Spagnolo, after an argument because he allegedly spoke with the woman who accompanied him.
The latter, who was identified during a photographic parade, is currently facing trial for aggravated assault.
The alleged victim was however confronted with contradictions in the different versions given to the police. Did the attacker really have his hair “cropped” and was his shirt short-sleeved or long-sleeved? Was his recollection of the event accurate, and did it cause him to be wrong in his statements?
20 seconds
These are just a few questions posed during his cross-examination by Mr.and Danièle Roy of the defence, who also questioned the witness’s recollection that it all happened in 20 seconds.
“I didn’t have a timer,” replied the witness as the defense observed three minutes of silence in the room, then 20 seconds, to show the difference in time.
The testimony finally ended when it was nearly 3:30 a.m. for the alleged victim. The trial continues throughout the week.