Overview
- The Rome appeals court, which ruled Friday, overturned a 2025 life sentence and cleared Raul Esteban Calderon of killing Fabrizio “Diabolik” Piscitelli.
- Judges said the evidence did not meet the bar for conviction, noting the murder weapon was never found and a security‑camera clip of the shooting could not be used in court.
- The first‑instance case had leaned on a frame showing a bandage over a leg tattoo, an expert body‑shape comparison, and accusations from Calderon’s former partner, whose reliability was disputed on appeal.
- Prosecutors signaled they may seek a Supreme Court review and try to add material such as phone records tying alleged boss Leandro Bennato to Calderon’s home and the park, a burnt scooter linked to the escape, and an alleged helicopter escape plan.
- Calderon stays in prison due to a separate life term for a 2020 beach killing, while investigators continue to probe who ordered Piscitelli’s murder within Rome’s drug‑trade networks.