Fifth session of the embezzlement trial

At 2:45pm today (local time in Rome), the fifth hearing in the trial related to accused embezzlement of funds from the Gesù Bambino Foundation began in the Tribunal Hall within the Vatican City State.

Present today, in addition to the judges (Professor Paolo Papanti-Pelletier, President; Venerando Marano; and Carlo Bonzano) and the Prosecuting attorney, Professor Roberto Zannotti (in the absence of Professor Gian Piero Milano), were the two accuseds: Giuseppe Profiti - defended by Antonello Blasi, and Massimo Spina - defended by Alfredo Ottaviani.

Testimonies were presented by marco Bargellini, Paolo Mennini, Paolo Cipriani and Massimo Tulli.  Gianantonio Bandera was not present.  At the beginning of the hearing, the transcript of yesterday's questioning of Massimo Spina was read and approved.  The transcript of the deposition given by Giuseppe Profiti on 19 September was also re-read.

Today's session, which ended at 8:35pm local time, was dedicated to the questioning of Marco Bargellini by Professor Papanti-Pelletier and the other judges, as well as the attorneys for the prosecution and for the defence.  There followed the questioning by Alfredo Ottaviani of the witnesses: Paolo Cipriani, Paolo Mennini and Massimo Tulli.

The next session of the court hearing has been scheduled for 2 October beginning at 11:30am.