Italian Judge Leaves Ski Lift Case to U.S.
To the dismay of victims’ families, an Italian judge Monday threw out a manslaughter case against the crew of a U.S. Marine jet that severed a ski gondola cable in the Alps, killing 20 people.
Judge Carlo Ancona ruled that, under a North Atlantic Treaty Organization agreement, Italian courts lack jurisdiction in the Feb. 3 accident. He also dismissed charges against three top U.S. military officials at the Aviano base in northern Italy, where the jet was stationed.
Trento Prosecutor Francantonio Granero had pushed for indictments in Italy against the four-man crew, even though the Rome government has acquiesced to U.S. prosecution in the case.
“My hopes for justice have been set back,” said Klaus Stampfl, 29, whose mother died in the accident.
Alberto Mioni, a lawyer for the families of two Italian victims, said he was “extremely disappointed” by the decision.
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