The trial of Louis Dassilva for the murder of 78-year-old Pierina Paganelli will commence on September 15, following a judge’s ruling that he stand trial for stabbing her 29 times in a Rimini apartment garage on October 3, 2023. Judge Raffaele Deflorio issued the decision after a preliminary hearing, postponed three times, which addressed preliminary objections raised by Dassilva’s defense team, lawyers Riario Fabbri and Andrea Guidi.
Dassilva, a 35-year-old Senegalese national, faces charges of premeditated aggravated murder. By July 16, he will have spent one year in pre-trial detention. Prosecutors allege he killed Paganelli to conceal his extramarital affair with her daughter-in-law, Manuela Bianchi, fearing the victim would expose the relationship. Investigators assert Dassilva acted to shield himself, his marriage to Valeria Bartolucci, and Bianchi from potential retaliation by Paganelli’s family.
Bianchi, initially investigated for aiding Dassilva, may testify after confessing to meeting him the morning the body was discovered. She claimed he instructed her on how to interact with responders. Defense lawyers previously sought to nullify her pretrial testimony, but her account—supported by over 35 pieces of evidence, including voice analysis—contributed to the trial order.
Lawyers Monica and Marco Lunedei, representing Paganelli’s children as civil plaintiffs, stated, “We sought trial due to the grave evidentiary burden against Dassilva.” Nunzia Barzan, Bianchi’s attorney, cited aggravating factors including premeditation, cruelty, trivial motives, nighttime execution, and exploitation of the victim’s age and vulnerability. Bianchi, though not a civil party, “renews full trust in justice.”
Dassilva’s co-defense lawyer Guidi acknowledged the anticipated outcome, adding, “The trial will require rigorous scrutiny to clarify numerous aspects.” The Court of Assizes will convene at 9:30 a.m. on September 15.