CASOLI. Voluntary homicide aggravated by cohabitation: this is the accusation he faces in the trial opened yesterday in the Court of Assizes in Lanciano, Michael Dennis Whitbread75 years old, English, who had been living in Casoli for some years, for killing his partner with 9 stab wounds Michele Faiers Dawn66, in the farmhouse where they lived in the Verratti district. The woman’s body was found by a friend on November 1, 2023.
FIRST HEARINGGray suit, white shirt, long hair, well-groomed beard and calm look: this is how Whitbread presented himself at the hearing from Pescara prison where he is locked up after his extradition from England; the lawyer with him Massimiliano Sichetti. And that calm gaze met for the first time since the murder that of Michele’s three daughters who arrived from Great Britain: Sarah, Brooke ed Harriett represented by the lawyer Nadia Germanà Tascona of Milan. In front of the court with the president Massimo Canosaa latere Maria Rosaria Boncompagni and the popular judges who admitted as the first act the civil action of both the three daughters and the Dafne association, which works against violence against women, with the lawyer Pina Benedetti.
APPRAISAL AND DOCUMENTS UNITEDThere are two preliminary questions raised by the lawyer Sichetti: the first is to subject the accused to a psychiatric evaluation. Sichetti delivered a biased report made by the forensic psychiatrist Raffaele De Leonardis who recognized in Whitbread “a capacity for understanding and will that was seriously diminished at the moment of the murder”, i.e. “a partial mental defect but the man is not socially dangerous and is capable of judging”. «An expert opinion was carried out», explains the lawyer, «following a suicide attempt by the man in March 2023, most likely linked to the problems he had with his partner. For a year they had already been living separately at home with constant arguments due in particular to the woman’s jealousy.” The second request is the meeting of the prosecutor’s investigation file Mirvana Di Serio during the hearing to avoid a long and painful investigation. “In jargon it is called evidentiary plea bargaining made on investigative measures”, says the lawyer, “and aims to highlight a collaborative behavior of the accused who does not want to escape justice, which makes the process faster”. Requests were accepted so much so that the first witnesses, the Lanciano police who conducted the investigations, present in the courtroom, were not heard. We will hear directly from Whitbread on January 17th who will give his version of events: so far he has remained silent, he has handed over his memories to a 60-page diary in which he talks about his relationship with the victim.
COMPENSATIONWithbread also offered compensation to the girls: half of the Casoli property worth around 40,000 euros. «At the moment we are not interested in the compensation that we have to evaluate», replies the lawyer Germanà Tascona, «we are in favor of the acquisition of the documents, it makes everything quicker and alleviates a little the suffering of the accused and of the girls who have demonstrated an incredible strength. Today they saw Michael again for the first time. It was a heavy hearing more from an emotional point of view than a procedural one.”
THE MURDERWhitbread allegedly killed Michele with 9 stab wounds to the back and abdomen presumably at the height of an argument between 29 and 30 October. The body was discovered on November 1, 2023 by Petrina KeayMichele’s friend who was worried because he couldn’t hear her. The man, who arrived in the United Kingdom, in Shepshed, where his daughter lives, was not at home. Various elements collected by the police lead to the accusation of the man: the camera trap in front of the house says that from 29 to 31 October no one entered the couple’s house, while the 75-year-old came out and on 1 November Petrina entered and blood of the man on the victim’s clothes and next to the woman’s body.
Here are two PAA-related questions fitting the context:
## Interview: Justice for Michele Faiers Dawn
**Host:** Welcome to our program dedicated to discussing the tragic killing of Michele Faiers Dawn and the ongoing trial against Michael Dennis Whitbread. Today we have two esteemed guests joining us: Dr. [ **Guest 1 Name** ], a renowned forensic psychologist specializing in criminal cases, and [ **Guest 2 Name** ], a legal expert and advocate for victims’ rights.
**Thank you both for joining us. This case has gripped the community due to its shocking nature and complex circumstances. Let’s begin by discussing the defendant’s plea for a reduced sentence based on diminished responsibility.**
**Dr. [Guest 1 Name], the defence presented a forensic report suggesting Mr. Whitbread suffered from a “partial mental defect” at the time of the murder. What are the criteria typically used to evaluate such claims in court? Can you shed light on the complexities involved in assessing an individual’s mental state during a crime? How might cultural and social circumstances impact such evaluations?**
**(Allow for Guest 1’s response)**
**[Guest 2 Name]From a legal perspective, how do courts balance the need for justice with considerations of mental illness when determining guilt and appropriate sentencing? Is there a potential for biases or misunderstandings in these assessments?**
**(Allow for Guest 2’s response)**
**Host: Moving on to the victim, Michele Faiers Dawn, the article mentions she was discovered by her friend Petrina Keay after a period of worry. How does this tragic loss impact the community? Can you speak to the complexities of survivor grief and the long-term effects of such violence on families and friends?**
**(Allow for Guest 1 or Guest 2’s response, preferably an answer highlighting empathy and understanding of the victim’s family and friends’ experience.)**
**Host: The trial is still ongoing, and Mr. Whitbread has offered compensation to the victim’s daughters. Michael’s offer raises ethical questions about the role of financial compensation in cases of murder. What are your thoughts on this practice? How do you think the daughters’ refusal reflects their understanding of the situation? Is there a path towards healing and finding closure for them under these circumstances?**
**(Allow for both Guests’ responses, encouraging nuanced discussion on legal and emotional aspects.)**
**Host: The trial highlights the broader issues of domestic violence and the effectiveness of prevention measures. What steps can be taken to address the underlying causes of such tragedies and protect individuals from becoming victims? Dr. [Guest 1 Name], how can mental health professionals play a more proactive role in identifying potential risks and providing support to individuals struggling within relationships?**.
**(Allow for Guest 1’s response, focusing on preventative measures and mental health’s role.)**
**[Guest 2 Name], from a legal standpoint, what are some effective policies and legal interventions that can be implemented to address domestic violence? What more can be done to protect vulnerable individuals and ensure justice is served?**
**(Allow for Guest 2’s response, highlighting legal measures and advocacy initiatives.)**
**Host: This is a deeply tragic case that underscores the need for continued dialog and action on the issues of violence, mental health, and the pursuit of justice. We thank Dr. [Guest 1 Name] and [Guest 2 Name] for sharing their valuable insights. This interview will hopefully contribute to a better understanding of the complexities of this case and the broader societal issues it raises.
****
This interview structure aims to encourage a nuanced and insightful discussion about the case, considering both legal and psychological perspectives. Remember to adapt the questions to the specific expertise and perspectives of your chosen guests.
