The abduction that sparked a revolution in Sicily | Forensic Files

at case File We Believe home should be where you and your family feel safest especially over the holidays this season
give yourself and your family the gift of peace and protection with the number one rated home security system Simply
Safe and right now Simply Safe is offering case File listeners 40 off a new security system
here's why we love it Simply Safe has been named the best home security system by U.S news and world report for a third
year in a row Simply Save this whole home security with Advanced sensors for every room
window and door HD security cameras for inside and out and even Hazard sensors that detect fires floods and other
threats to your home in an emergency 24 7 Professional monitoring agents use fast protect TM
technology exclusively from SimpliSafe to capture critical evidence and to verify the threat is real so you can get
priority police response and with the top rated SimpliSafe app stay in complete control of your system
anytime anywhere don't miss your chance for massive savings on the case File team's favorite
security system and get 40 off any new system at simplysafe.com case File today that's simplysafe.com case File
there's no safe like simply safe [Music] our episodes deal with serious and often
distressing incidents if you feel at any time you need support please contact your local crisis center for suggested
phone numbers for confidential support please see the show notes for this episode on your app or on our website
[Music] like many girls growing up in southern Italy in the early 60s Serafina logo was
expected to marry young and start a family of her own by age 15 Seraphina had chosen the man
she wanted to be her future husband a 20 year old a leather cutter from her neighborhood named Pietro Santoro
in contrast to socially Progressive Northern Italy those on the island of Sicily still clung to the ancient belief
that a girl's worth was measured by her Chase nurse if she was a virgin before marriage she
was considered pure and worthy if not she was seen as shameful and immoral no Sicilian man would marry what they
judged to a Dishonored Woman They feared her dishonor would jeopardize the family
standing in the community and damaged the marriage prospects of other female family members
[Music] accordingly Sicilian girls and young women were required to dress modestly
and were permitted to socially interact with unmarried men courtships between young couples were
strictly controlled by their families and in Seraphina La Coco's case her father did not like Pietro Santoro
without his approval there would be no marriage one day in the summer of 1962 Pietro and
Seraphina performed what was known as a fuetina an elopement of sorts they spend a week together hidden in the
countryside and upon her return home Seraphina informed her father that she was now a Dishonored woman
her father understood the situation before him his own honor that of his family name and of both his daughters
was at stake despite his ill feelings toward Pietro seraphina's father felt he had no choice
according to Sicilian culture dating back Millennia the dishonor could be entirely undone repaired and restored by
the matrimonial reparatory the marriage between the girl and her lover about 12 months later another Sicilian
man 23 year old Felipe melodia set his eyes on the most beautiful girl he had ever seen
[Music] [Music] in the Northwestern Sicilian town of alcamore many locals believed that
Franco Viola's Beauty was destined to lift her family out of poverty despite all the Fanfare regarding her
looks Franca was an unassuming 15 year old she aspired to complete her education
live a comfortable life and travel the world she also dreamed of Falling in Love
unlike Franco Viola whose family were poor Farmers Filippo melodia was born into wolf
he was the nephew of the Undisputed boss of the Casa Nostra the Sicilian Mafia Filippo enjoyed all of the Privileges
that such an association offered he drove around a town in a white Alfa Romeo Julieta and spent his money freely
buying rounds of drinks for his friends at the bar almost daily given alcamore was a stronghold for the
Sicilian Mafia Filippo's position as a future leader was assured with his money good looks and status
felipo was one of the town's most eligible bachelors yet he only had eyes for Franca viola
the pair had made an impact on each other as they exchanged glances and greetings around town
Franca had formed the belief that there was a decent husband hidden behind Felipe's flashy exterior and told her
parents that she would be open to a courtship with him franca's father Bernardo was well aware
of Filippo melodia he'd heard the many stories of philippo terrorizing the neighborhoods of alcohol
speeding through the narrow streets in his Julieta and flashing around his nine millimeter pistol
Bernardo was also aware that the local police had their eye on Filippo as a hard-working honest and humble man
Bernardo Viola had little respect for the young Mafi also days after Franco told her father about
her growing feelings for felipo he arrived at the viola house to introduce himself to her family and begin the
courtship process once inside Filippo announced his intention to be engaged to Franco
Bernardo was not easily intimidated he wanted his daughter to marry a man who would take good care of her
Filippo retorted that there was no better man in alchemol Bernardo then implied that he would
prefer Franca Maria men who worked for a living Filippo was insulted by the remark but
remained quiet eventually Bernardo broke the silence Franca herself had expressed an interest
in felipo so Bernardo was willing to consider an engagement between them on one condition
they got to know each other first Filippo was not the type to take orders from someone he considered a peasant and
he wouldn't have tolerated such disrespect for any other girl but he wanted Franco Viola as his wife
so he was willing to do as her father asked foreign the following week Felipe and Franca sat
side by side on a sofa inside the viola house under the watchful lie of franka's
mother Vita Franca was initially Charmed by felipo who confessed to Franca that he was
crazy about her however after a number of months Franca realized that she didn't Harbor any
romantic feelings for philippo he boasted constantly of his family's wealth his car and his connections to
the mafia he was also being looked into for a string of motorcycle thefts felipo had scoffed at Frank's plans for
the future insisting that she should be satisfied simply by becoming his wife Franca had glimpsed what her life with
felipo melodia would be like and she was not impressed the next time Filippo called at the
viola house Franca didn't appear instead her father informed the young man that he had failed his test
without bernardo's approval Franca and Felipe's marriage would not go ahead for the whole of 1964 the viola family
did not hear a word from Felipe melodia after having been rejected by Franca and
her father Filippo had left Sicily and spent the year in Germany to save face by early 1965 the atmosphere in alchemol
had changed many high-ranking mafioso including felipo's uncle had been arrested
De Casa Nostra no longer had the same Stranglehold over the town those who remained free kept a low
profile wary of alkamo's new police commissioner Lorenzo camilleri upon his return to alcamo felipo was
Keen to pick up where he left off he wanted what he thought was owed to him the mafioso lifestyle and Franca
viola his desire for her had only intensified during his absence in early May 1965 Filippo spied Bernardo
Viola in town and approached him in a callback to their first conversation Filippo told Bernardo that
he had been working while living in Germany hoping to impress the older man Ado replied
it was not a thing before and it is not a thing now Franca has not missed you and she can
find a better husband than you a few weeks later on Friday May 28 Bernardo arrived at his farm only to
find the warehouse where he kept his farming tools on fire upon discovering several empty petrol
cans around the building Bernardo headed into town to report the arson to the police
on the way he crossed paths with Felipe melodia the young man smiled as if in Triumph
later that evening Bernardo was given the message the fire was just a warning two months later 500 Vines were
prematurely cut and destroyed on the viola Farm this was a devastating Financial blow to
the family whose entire income was derived from their Harvest they would just have to make do with the
remaining crops however by October these two had been destroyed Bernardo had arrived to find sheep and
cattle grazing in his field there was nothing left the destruction of his Warehouse tools
and crops meant that the viola family would not have any money for the coming year
when winter arrived they would be forced to turn to public charity for food to eat
Bernardo maintained a cheerful public facade but privately he was humiliated the following day felipo melodia and two
of his friends arrived at bernardo's Farm Filippo informed Bernardo that he must
forfeit his farming land within three days he then lifted his shirt to reveal a nine millimeter pistol tucked into his
waistband there was no question that Filippo was responsible for the damage to the viola
Farm but without any proof there was nothing the police could do meanwhile Franco Viola had become so
terrified of Filippo that she barely left her home in fear of what he'd do next on Christmas Day Filippo melodia
gathered his crew let Franca enjoy Mass with her family he told his boys tomorrow they would ride
case File will be back shortly thank you for supporting us by listening to this episode's sponsors
do you ever find yourself snacking because you're bored or you're watching TV and you've suddenly eaten a whole
block of chocolate without even realizing it if the answer is yes there's no need to
stress New Way can help you break the cycle and change your habits for good ever since casefile Rider Jazz started
with NuMe weight her life has changed for the better her Fitness has improved and along with the dropping kilos she's
also been doing a lot of running she's having fun and feels great Jess tells me she used to be an all or
nothing kind of Dieter and exerciser she'd go in with 100 effort and if she slipped up once or missed a day at the
gym then she would just give up but noon wait is okay with having an off day and you don't have to eat kale
salads every day to get results unless you want to stay focused on what's important to you
with noon weights psychology-based approach sign up for your trial today at n00m.com case File
that's n o o m.com slash case File to sign up for your trial today and check out noom's first ever book the new
mindset a deep dive into the psychology of behavior change available for pre-order wherever books are sold
if you're like us on the case File team 2022 has been a super busy year we've all been working hard to bring you new
episodes every week but we don't forget to have some down time along the way and
when team member Bridget needs a few minutes break from work she turns to her favorite mobile game that's right it's
best fiends best fiends is a free to download mobile puzzle game with thousands of exciting levels for new
adventures and challenges every time you play there are dozens of unique themes for you to collect so you can customize
your own team to help you defeat the menacing slugs case File team member Bridget has just cracked level 278 she
loves how it's a challenge to level up but it's not so impossibly difficult that you want to stop
the Black Friday in-game has offered so many rewards that it's hard to stop playing and with offline play available
you don't have to you've earned your fun time go to the app store or Google play to download
best fiends for free plus earn even more with five dollars worth of in-game rewards when you reach level 5. that's
friends without the r best fiends at 7am on Sunday December 26 1965. two men on a scooter slowly wrote
down the narrow streets of central alkamo they turned into via a Rancho passing the near identical Sandstone colored
buildings that line to the street until they reached number 41. they idled in place for a moment before
moving a little further away to an acceptable vantage point eventually they saw a short slightly
punched man in a flat cap and jacket leave the building once he was out of sight the Scooter's
engine buzzed and the two men hurriedly disappeared about 30 minutes later a blue Fiat
seichento and a white Alfa Romeo Julieta Screech to a halt outside number 41. several gunshots were fired into the air
as a warning to Residents to stay inside and mind their business twelve masked and armed men then piled
out of the cars and forced their way inside the viola home Vita Viola screamed for her daughter to
run knowing the man had come to take Franco away beta tried to fight them off but they
knocked her down and kept her pinned to the ground Franca rushed upstairs only to be chased
down by four men who dragged her back down and out the front door franca's eight-year-old brother Mariano
clung to her legs refusing to let go even when he was struck over and over Franco and Mariano were thrown into the
Alfa Romeo Julieta after the car doors slammed shut the two men who were still inside the house
released their grip on Vita who immediately ran outside after her children before she could reach the car she was
punched in the head from behind and fell to the ground a dozen more gunshots were fired into
the air before the Julieta and the seychento sped away Bernardo Viola returned home as quickly
as he could and reported the kidnapping of Franco and Mariano to commissioner Lorenzo camilleri
Vita Viola knew for certain who had kidnapped her children although he'd been wearing a mask Vita
had locked eyes with felipo melodia as he dragged Franco away despite knowing who was responsible
Bernardo and Vita were at a loss wary of Filippo's Mafia connections the couple's neighbors refused to offer
assistance or information fortunately for the violas commissioner Lorenzo camilleri wasn't one to just sit
around and wait he immediately began searching for Franca felipo melodia sped away from alcamo and
into the countryside behind him Franca and Mariano Viola clung tightly to one another in the back
seat Filippo told Franca that after he was done with her she would not be able to
marry any other man but him in defiance she shouted that she did not love him Filippo laughed and retorted
who cares the Julieta eventually came to a stop in front of a remote farmhouse eight-year-old Mariano was pried away
from his sister and driven back towards alcohol [Music] he was later found abandoned on the
outskirts of town meanwhile Franco was dragged inside The Farmhouse screaming but there was nobody
around to hear her cries for help for six days she was starved taunted and insulted by Filippo melodia
by the seventh day Franco was weak she lay on the floor semi-conscious and barely able to move
Filippo then raped her for the first time he knew under any circumstances where an
unmarried girl or young woman loses her virginity even in the case of rape she would become a shamed woman
the dishonor to herself and her family could then only be repaired through the matrimonial reparatory
to enact such a fuetina as the one felipo was doing was most certainly a crime but Filippo knew the law was on his side
article 544 of the criminal code read quote the crimes of kidnap and rape would be
extinguished by the marriage between the victim and her rapist this law applied even if the victim was
a minor at the beginning of January Felipe covertly relocated Franca from The Farmhouse to his sister's house in
alcamo by this stage the melodia family had been in contact with the viola family
and to negotiations were underway knowing full well what Filippo was up to with Franco the two families were
nearing an agreement on a wedding date on Thursday January 6 1966 12 Days After Franco Viola was kidnapped commissioner
Lorenzo camilleri and his officers had felipo melodia's sister's house surrounded
they demanded that felipo released Franca immediately there was a commotion from inside the
house and then suddenly two figures appeared on the second story balcony Filippo held up a visibly weak Franco
Viola in front of him as the officers leveled their guns at Filippo Franco shouted don't shoot
the police lowered their weapons satisfied with this outcome Felipe agreed to surrender Franca and watched
as his teenage captive collapsed into the waiting arms of her father Felipe offered no resistance when
commissioner camilleri placed him under arrest he just smiled broadly and asked for a
cigarette Filippo then looked to Franca in anticipation he believed she would insist that he be
released and become her husband as it was the only way she could remedy the disgrace she now brought upon her family
as a Dishonored woman Franca paused in front of felipo melodia looked him in the eyes and told him
I will never marry you goodbye Filippo's smile vanished and the police took him away
reunited with her family and safely back home Franca agonized over rumors that her father had agreed for her to be
married to Filippo during her time in captivity Bernardo assured his daughter that the
marriage negotiations were just a ruse in order for commissioner kamalari to discover where she was being held
with no marriage planned Frank is fate and that of her family was uncertain Vita worried for her daughter's future
but Franco was confident in her decision she insisted that she would rather remain unmarried her entire life than be
married to a man such as felipo melodia a man without honor in standing her ground Franca Viola had
become the first Sicilian to ever refuse a matrimonial reperator with her rapist
Bernardo Viola just wanted his daughter to be safe and happy but he knew that the price for her resolve would be high
in the months leading up to felipo melodia's trial life for the viola family was Grimm
the earlier destruction of their Farm meant that they had little money and food was scarce
Bernardo was desperate to find work but no one in the town or surrounding Villages would hire him
Franca became reclusive shutting herself inside her home to avoid hostilities and
judgment from the public the violas were guarded Around the Clock by police to ensure none of felipo
melodia's family or friends followed through on their death threats many of the townspeople admired Franco's
courage but they still considered her decision to be ill-advised they believed that even a girl as pretty
as Franco would never find a husband now only was she Dishonored but she was also
poor during a council meeting for the town of alcohol it was proposed that the council
stand in solidarity with Franca her family and all others who had been bullied the proposition was unanimously approved
but when one counselor stood up and rhetorically requested a show of hands as to who among them would be willing to
marry any Dishonored woman no one moved in December 1966 Franco Viola and her parents arrived at the Trapani
Courthouse under armed police escort of the 500 or so Spectators who packed the courtroom the vast majority were the
family and supporters of Filippo melodia and his accomplices the room was palpably hostile towards
the viola family who endured the crowd's insults and death threats even their lawyer was met with the Jews
and spirit the violas sat behind the public prosecutor and their own lawyer on the other side of the room were the
lawyers representing each of the accused all 12 of the defendants including felipo melodia were present inside the
courtroom locked behind the defendant's bars under oath Felipe melodia told the court
that he and Franca Viola were in love and that her father Bernardo had called off their engagement against franca's
wishes Felipe said that he and Franca had arranged the fuetina together in order
to force her father's hand he claimed that they had been consensually intimate many times during
their escape but it was old news as they had already had sex two years prior during their initial courtship
he elaborated saying that there were moments during his visits to the viola house where he and Franco were
unsupervised to prove their clients assertions felipo's defense team requested that
their medical expert be granted permission to physically examine Franco Viola in order to prove that she lost
her virginity many months or even years prior to the fui Tina the prosecution vigorously objected to
the request and it was ultimately denied by the court [Music] Filippo also claimed that he and Franca
had planned the details of the staged kidnapping the day prior on Christmas Day in a show of solidarity with his
co-accused Felipe stated that while he had received assistance none of the other 11 men charged had been present at
the time of the phony kidnapping he declined to name any of his actual helpers given the fuetina was an agreed upon
Arrangement between himself and a Franca no actual kidnap or rape had been committed
felipo melodea concluded that franka's true wish was to marry him but her tyrannical father would not allow it
after Filippo stepped down the defense called a long procession of witnesses who supported his claims
one by one they provided Alibis for each of felipo's accomplices most were said to have been at work all
day some at home one in the market in town and one at The Barbers in support of philippo's claims that he
and Franca were in love and the fui Tina had been pre-planned between them the defense called a woman named Anna
lungaro Anna lived next door to felipo's sister and witnessed the brief standoff between
felipo and the police Anna testified that Franca had not shouted don't shoot in fear of her own
safety but had actually yelled don't shoot he is my husband in order to protect the man she loved from the
office's bullets as the defense concluded their case none of the twelve accused men in the
defendant's cage seemed at all worried about their fate they talked and joked amongst themselves
smoked cigarettes and laughed the prosecution's argument was simple in clear violation of the law the twelve
defendants had kidnapped Franco Viola and then Felipe melodia had raped her multiple times
the prosecution conceded that under Section 544 of the criminal code these actions would cease to be crimes in
relation to all defendants if and when Franco Viola married Filippo melodier however given franca's continued refusal
to do so which was her right the fact of the crimes remained whether in fear of physical reprisal or
simply the social stigma no one in the community was willing to testify on behalf of the viola family
the prosecution's case was limited to what those within the family claimed on the stand
both the Vita and Bernardo testified as to the events leading up to their daughter's abduction
they confirmed that back in 1963 Franca was indeed engaged to Felipe melodia albeit conditionally on the two becoming
more acquainted after spending time with Filippo Franca had realized that she did not want to
marry him and so his proposal was rejected franca's parents testified to the campaign of intimidation and destruction
that followed despite the defense's attempts to prove otherwise Vita maintained that all of
philippo's accomplices were in the courtroom that day even though they had been wearing face
coverings when they took her daughter Vita was able to recognize all of those involved
[Music] franca's aunt and grandmother both testified that they along with Frank his
parents sent her brother Mariano all enjoyed Christmas day together at no time did Franca have any
interaction or conversation with Filippo as he had claimed finally Franco Viola sat in the witness
box she described her ordeal at the hands of Felipe melodia in clear and precise
detail [Music] she denied that the fui Tina had been pre-planned between them maintaining
that none of what she had endured was consensual Franca firmly stated that she was not
now or had ever been in love with Felipe melodia Franca was pressed as to why she had now
gone against all tradition by refusing to marry felipo and restore her own honor and the social standing of her
family she replied I am not the property of anyone honor is lost by those who do certain
things not those who suffer them after providing her testimony Franca stayed away from the courthouse for the
remainder of the trial she could no longer face the endless intrusion of reporters and photographers
nor the constant Demand by felipo maladia's supporters to drop the charges and marry him
instead Franca would rely on her father's reports of the day's proceedings despite continued threats to his life
Bernardo never missed the day of the trial in their closing statement the prosecution requested exemplary
sentences for each of the defendants to illustrate to everyone that violence should not be rewarded
they suggested that Filippo Melody's accomplices received sentences ranging from four months to 13 years
proportionate to their respective roles in the kidnap of Franca viola for felipo himself a sentence of 22
years and 10 months was put forward as deserving and just the defense continued to argue that no
crime had been committed as Franca was in on the entire plot but should the court find a cause for a
conviction the defense said it would be unfair for felipo melodia to pay dearly for his actions committed in accordance
with the social customs of the time on the seventh and final day of the trial the presiding judges retired to
deliberate the case to the local community and Sicily as a whole the trial marked a potential
turning point in their social history at 5 30 that evening the judges delivered their verdict
the court found resoundingly in favor of Franca Viola and sentenced Felipe maladia to 11 years in prison for kidnap
and rape eight out of his 11 accomplices also received prison sentences the reaction of those in the courtroom
was stunned silence Italian newspaper La stampa reported and with felipo melodia this lesson will
be listened to by many other Sicilians who like it or not will have to know that something new is stirring in our
Countryside case File will be back shortly thank you for supporting us by listening to this
episode's sponsors tis the season to put off all your holiday shopping until the last minute and if you have an
online store you'll know the feeling of being hit with a ton of orders at once when you're buried in orders and emails
from stressed customers you'll wish you had a ship station and now ship station is available in the UK Australia and
Canada no one wants to think too hard during the holidays luckily ship station is a
no-brainer you'll save time money and distress during the holiday Rush over 130 000 companies have grown their
e-commerce business with ship station case File team member Paulina can't imagine life without ship station
looking after her small business needs it was so easy to get started and she loves how now everything she needs is in
one simple interface Paulina can keep track of all her orders and automate tasks she used to have to
complete manually which saves her so much time and stress that's time she can now spend doing
things she loves like playing with her beautiful dog Benji this holiday season give yourself the
gift of stress-free holiday shipping use promo code case File today at shipstation.com to sign up for your free
60-day trial that's shipstation.com promo code case File 48 year old cameraman Patrick McDermott
was the on and off boyfriend of Olivia Newton-John in 2005 he boarded an overnight fishing charter off the coast
of Los Angeles when the boat disembarked the following day Patrick was nowhere to
be seen in season 2 of suicide poppy Daemon and Alice fines dig deeper into Patrick McDermott's case than anyone has
before to answer the question did Patrick die at sea or did he disappear deliberately to begin a new life
Suicide Season 2 is out now available for free only on Spotify stay tuned to the end of today's episode
to hear the trailer thank you for listening to this episode's ads by supporting our sponsors
you support casefile to continue to deliver quality content as the courtroom emptied reporters were
able to briefly speak with the patriarch of the melodia and Viola families Filippo Melody's father Vincenzo
indicated he was not at all worried about his son's conviction as there was still time for the matrimonial
reparatory with such a marriage the law allowed his son's crimes to fall away even after the
sentence had been handed down Vincenzo was upbeat suggesting that the wedding could be arranged very quickly
he stated I really don't understand why Bernardo doesn't want to in his place I would
have married Franco and felipo in contrast Bernardo Viola remained steadfast that his daughter would never
marry felipo melodia the viola family was simply Keen to get on with their lives
when asked about Frankie's future Bernardo confirmed that she had obtained her driver's license and was studying to
become a typist during the previous year Franca had received dozens of letters of support
for her decision not to marry her reburst and she had already received hundreds of written marriage proposals
Bernardo was confident that Franca would be just fine immediately after the trial felipo
meladia's legal team appealed his sentence and in July 1967 they were marginally successful
sentence was reduced to 10 years in prison with two years of supervised confinement
[Music] it was still dark on the morning of Wednesday December 4 1968 as 20 year old
Franco Viola walked slowly down the aisle between the Chapel's pews a bouquet of orange blossoms stood out
against her White Satin and lace dress and her smile radiated through the white Veil that covered her face
at the end of the aisle was 25 year old accountant Giuseppe ruisi Franco and to Giuseppe had gone to
school together and had lost touch in the years that followed they were reacquainted at a reunion
between their families in 1966 right before Franca was about to face Filippo maladia in court
Franco was already dealing with the severe public scrutiny of that decision so she had kept her courtship with the
Giuseppe a secret he became her Rock calling Franco regularly as she remained hidden away in
her home waiting for updates on the trial from her father after the stress and attention of that
ordeal faded away Giuseppe proposed at first Franco refused she feared that felipo melodia would
find out and have Giuseppe killed however Giuseppe persisted telling Franca that he'd rather spend a short
life as her husband than her whole life with any other woman as soon as Franco accepted his proposal
Giuseppe applied for the marriage license and as a contingency a license to carry
Franca and Giuseppe opted to keep their wedding ceremony a small and private affair
only close friends and family were invited and the ceremony took place at dawn a number of the police who had protected
the violas in the lead-up too and during the trial were in attendance as was franca's lawyer who had become a
close friend of the family since the trial Franca and Giuseppe received congratulations and wedding gifts from
the Italian president Giuseppe saragad and from the Italian Prime Minister Giovanni Leone
as the sun rose on their nuptials the newlyweds made their way to Rome for a private audience with the Pope
after serving 10 years for the kidnap and rape of Franco Viola felipo melodia was released from prison
he was immediately transported to Northern Italy where he would be confined to the town of mordena for the
next two years to complete his sentence under supervised release at no point did philippo show any
remorse for his crimes on Wednesday April 12 1978 after finishing his day's work at an auto body
shop 38 year old Felipe melodia made his way to a bar near his apartment [Music]
still wearing his Dirty Work overalls he sat down to watch a replay of the day's
Champions League football match on the bars television screen just after 8 30 PM the owner of the bar
called out to felipo from across the room telling him that he had a phone call a police Marshal was on the other line
felipo was told he Strode over to the phone and announced his presence down the receiver
but there was no response untroubled Filippo hung up the phone and decided to head home
as he went to leave two men appeared and blocked his path one of the men lifted a shotgun and
fired twice into Filippo's chest it was a textbook Mafia execution on Monday December 19 1966 less than 48
hours after Philippe melodia was found guilty and sentenced to prison 22 year old Mateo traravalo was walking
with her mother Dennis trade in the Sicilian town of salami all of a sudden a car stopped alongside
Mattea and three men wrangled her into the vehicle mattea's mother was knocked to the
ground and could do nothing but watch as the men drove away with her daughter Matteo was held captive and repeatedly
raped by her ex-fiancee Andrea vitioso after four days the police Tracked Down Mateo to an empty Cottage on the
outskirts of town Andrea vitioso insisted that no crime had been committed as Mateo had agreed
to marry him with the support of her family and emboldened by the courage and resolve of
Franco Viola before her Matea denounced her rapist she told the police that she had never
agreed to run away with Andrea and that she would never marry him Mattea had Andrea vitioso charged
immediately 24 days later eighteen-year-old Carmela Parisi was kidnapped in central Sicily
and raped by Franco matura despite her family's wishes for her to marry her reburst Carmella became the
third Sicilian girl to refuse the convention the floodgates had opened girls and young women throughout Sicily
were now breaking the tradition that had punished them for centuries it took a further 15 years before the
law that rewarded sexual violence with marriage was finally repealed [Music] in 2014 66 year old Franco Viola was
awarded the honor of grand officer of the order of Merit of the Italian republic by then president Giorgio
Napolitano Franco received the award for her brief but powerful contribution to the
emancipation of women in Italy the following year Franco agreed to a rare interview with Italian newspaper La
republika in which she reflected on her life and experiences she emphasized the importance of family
support and explained the advice she had recently given to her granddaughter quote
you have to decide what is right not what is convenient [Music] [Music] [Music] in 2004 Olivia Newton-John and her
handsome cameraman boyfriend seemed to be madly in love with each other but less than a year later this seemingly
besotted couple had split and then quite suddenly Patrick McDermott vanished his
disappearance was so sudden so total and so mysterious that some people think he
faked his own death so here's a guy that's poor okay that's hurting owes back child support and I believe that
the pressures of that and the pressures of oh my God I'm gonna have to go to jail and my son's gonna have to see me
in jail and I think it was just too much for him months after he vanished alleged
sightings began apparently McDermott was in Mexico and I was sitting there at the bar
having adult beverages and this guy was walking around going table to table with
like an artist rendering of an image of Patrick and he came to our table and he goes do you recognize this person I go
you know what I think he's staying at my surf camp in season one of suicide we brought you nine different stories of
death Road Through the Ages now in season two we're investigating The Disappearance of one man Patrick
McDermott so I'm interested to give you a question too because you said that you
were doing an article there or a journalism piece on people who had faked their death like do you really think
that Patrick McDermott faked his death join me poppy Damon and me Alice fines as we unravel the mystery week by week
in sudicide only on Spotify you're like where is he and that's horrible for somebody that that you know you cared
about where is he that suicide beginning with a p only on Spotify

Case 234: Franca Viola

In 1963, on the Italian island of Sicily, a wealthy young bachelor named Filippo Melodia began a courtship with a teenager named Franca Viola, much to the displeasure of Franca's father...

CREDITS

Narration – Anonymous Host Research & writing – Holly Boyd Creative direction – Milly Raso Production and music – Mike Migas Music – Andrew D.B. Joslyn

SOCIAL LINKS

Website https://www.casefilepodcast.com Facebook https://www.facebook.com/casefile Twitter https://twitter.com/case_file Instagram https://www.instagram.com/casefilepodcast Patreon https://www.patreon.com/casefile Casefile Presents https://casefilepresents.com

RESOURCES

For all credits and sources, please visit https://casefilepodcast.com/case-234-franca-viola

Brief Summary

Franca Viola defies tradition by refusing to marry her rapist, challenging Sicilian culture and laws on honor and marriage.

Key points

Simply Safe Home Security. Protect your family with the number one rated home security system.
Franca's Defiance. Franca Viola refuses to marry her rapist, making history in Sicily.
Franca's Defiance. Franca Viola refuses to marry her rapist, asserting her autonomy and dignity.
Historic Verdict. The court finds in favor of Franca Viola, sentencing her rapist to prison.
A New Beginning. Franca Viola marries Giuseppe Ruisi, finding love after trauma.

Episode highlights

Episode quotes

There's no safe like Simply Safe.

Promoting the home security system.

1:29WatchDec 3, 2022

Tension

85/ 100High tension

More from Casefile

Solve the Crime

Read a real case one clue at a time, then see how your call held up against the investigators.