Australia Australia - Lucia Amenta, 70, Fawkner, Vic, 19 Jan 2008

[SouthAussie]

The court heard Mr Amenta's brother, John Amenta, was very close to his mother and he understood the couple had left everything to him in their will.

In a statement to police, she said John Amenta was an "aggressive, controlling and threatening" man and she had initially thought his mother had been taken as a vendetta after he got into trouble in Queensland.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-12-...-involvement-in-her-death/5159516?section=vic

 

[SouthAussie]

Mrs Amenta was seen by her neighbour wearing a blue shirt with a floral design and a blue skirt.
Similar clothing was seen in a laundry sink, by another witness, at the family home after Mrs Amenta went missing.
But a police officer later told the inquest the clothing had not been removed for examination.

http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/f...-court-told-20131216-2zgw6.html#ixzz2ng8lUISg

 

[SouthAussie]

Forensic pathologist David Ranson said Mrs Amenta had a fracture to her neck consistent with neck compression, but he was unable to say if the injury had been inflicted while she was alive.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/la...ved-in-her-death/story-fni0fee2-1226784075480

 

[Ausgirl]

Awesome, SA, thanks for the links! Great to see the inquest underway.

I have a mad busy day today but looking forward to pondering the articles a bit later.

 

[SouthAussie]

Detective Senior Constable Toey said an investigation into the family’s finances found John Amenta lived an ‘‘extravagant lifestyle’’, owned several luxury cars and had paid $170,000 cash for a house despite declaring an income of about $11,000.
He had also received about $200,000 when his parents sold an investment property, and that following his mother’s death, he had his father sign over control of his bank accounts to his son, the detective said.

http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/l...ook-inquest-20131217-2zian.html#ixzz2niztemkj

 

[Ausgirl]

Remember how I said a few posts back that I really do try to think the best of people until there's reason not to?

Well, with that snippet SA posted above, John Amenta just crossed the line of "until" big time.

So he's scabbing off the govt (11 thou is the average annual dole payment) while bleeding his parents dry. I bet his mum didn't like it. And what about where they're saying she was a "nag" for wanting the yard cleaned up... oh but Fabio's too busy swanning about in half a million's worth of cars, the tattooed scab... living it up, while his lovely mum cooks and cleans, looks after her family...

By god, if I say any more, it'll just be a big pile of enraged nonsense.

 

[SouthAussie]

The inquest heard the homicide squad had planted listening devices in John Amenta's home and intercepted telephone calls in which he had discussed barrels and threatened his former partner "I swear on my mum, you're going to die too," John Amenta was recorded saying.

Sen Const. Toey told the inquest John Amenta had convictions for assault, theft and drug related offences.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/la...firey-reputation/story-fni0fee2-1226785219875

 

[Marg from Oz]

Wow....Your going to die too!! That is scarey. No wonder she is an ex partner.

 

[moreinfo]

gee John Amenta is trying to paint a lovely picture of his dear mummy. Trying to build up a case to show why someone lost the plot with her and went too far this time. Yeah right I can really see the tiny lady "bash" her husband. More like she'd have to defend herself from such domineering characters.
The only thing she did was speak up, and that was what cost her her life. So glad to hear they're closing in on this case. She lived her life for family and didn't deserve this .

 

[SouthAussie]

Paolo Amenta was granted immunity from prosecution when he testified at his elderly wife Lucia Amenta's inquest on Wednesday.
He said they had not fought, there was no disturbance in their house and knew of no one who wanted her harmed.
'I think she was taken,' he said through an Italian interpreter, adding at least two people were involved.
'She would've defended herself against one person. I don't think one person alone could do it.'

http://www.skynews.com.au/local/article.aspx?id=935374

Nothing very telling in these reported statements made under immunity, but I wonder what Paolo had to say about what time John arrived for lunch. He must have had a few interesting questions to answer.
Not sure how he thinks Lucia's tiny 71-year old arthritic self could physically defend herself against a brute.

 

[enzeder]

http://www.skynews.com.au/local/article.aspx?id=935374

Nothing very telling in these reported statements made under immunity, but I wonder what Paolo had to say about what time John arrived for lunch. He must have had a few interesting questions to answer.
Not sure how he thinks Lucia's tiny 71-year old arthritic self could physically defend herself against a brute.

BBM

Reading the article that you linked SouthAussie it appears that they were going to take the lunch to their son John.

Updated: 20:27, Wednesday December 18, 2013

The freshly cooked lunch they were due to take to their son John was still warm on the table.

http://www.skynews.com.au/local/article.aspx?id=935374

 

[Ausgirl]

I was rather appalled to read that Paolo was granted immunity!

Wtf is up with that? He's one of the main suspects! :scared:

 

[enzeder]

I was rather appalled to read that Paolo was granted immunity!

Wtf is up with that? He's one of the main suspects! :scared:

Right! What's up with that?. I thought he was one of the last people to see Lucia alive?.

 

[enzeder]

Vic barrel-body son makes witch-hunt claim

19 DEC 2013

John Amenta was granted a certificate of immunity from prosecution as he testified on the last day of an inquest into his mother Lucia Amenta's death.

Mr Amenta said he was angry with police saying they had made their mind up about him from the start.

"I don't look like a priest," he said.

"They're trying to frame me. It's like a witch-hunt. It's ruined my life. I'm sick of it. I've done nothing wrong."

http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2013/12/19/vic-barrel-body-son-makes-witch-hunt-claim

 

[Ausgirl]

John Amenta was granted a certificate of immunity from prosecution

:banghead:

 

[enzeder]

:banghead:

I'm really not getting this....at all. This certificate of immunity from prosecution - what exactly is that?. Does it mean, if he incriminates himself during the inquest, that they can't use it against him further down the track?. Need a lawyer to this explain to us.

 

[enzeder]

Son accuses police of witch-hunt

Updated: 18:17, Thursday December 19, 2013

"Paolo bought bread from the local shop before noon and returned home to find his wife gone.

In a phone call almost four hours later, he told son John she was missing.

John Amenta said he thought it was a 'bit weird' because they were due to visit him and she was usually punctual."

"The coroner will deliver his ruling next year."

Read more: http://www.skynews.com.au/local/article.aspx?id=935677

 

[enzeder]

From an earlier article....

BBM

Body in barrel case: father and son seek immunity before testifying

Tue 17 Dec 2013

"A Melbourne father and son will seek immunity from prosecution before testifying at a coronial inquest into the death of a 70-year-old Melbourne woman."

"A lawyer for the pair has indicated to the coroner that they will apply for a certificate of immunity before they testify.

The court heard while they are anxious to assist the inquest, they are concerned about any knock-on effect their evidence may have on any future court matters."

Read more: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-12-...ther-and-son-seek-immunity-before-tes/5161164

 

[SouthAussie]

It sounds as though the Coroners Court has to give a certificate of immunity if they want to compel a person to speak, and a person is even entitled to one if they voluntarily give evidence. I guess they have to feel encouraged to tell the truth in Coroners Court.
It gives me the impression that they can still be prosecuted for a crime, but not by using any of their own words said at the inquest against them.

In the article (pg 4 Compellability & Self Incrimination) at link below, it says - according to the Coroners Act - a certificate of immunity means that nothing he says at the inquest can be used against him.

If the witness is either compelled to give evidence, or voluntarily gives evidence, a coroner must, under s57(5), give the witness a certificate of immunity. The scope of the certificate of immunity includes protection against both direct and derivative use of any statements made, or documents provided, at the inquest (s57(7)).

http://www.greenslist.com.au/cpd-li...d-ff36-42a4-9175-e03141a5b252&method=download

 

[SouthAussie]

BBM

Reading the article that you linked SouthAussie it appears that they were going to take the lunch to their son John.

Ah, thanks for that! So John was perhaps not going there for lunch then. I wonder if police have discovered that he was there that morning anyway? They seem very suspicious of him, but no-one is really saying anything about his movements that morning.