Six Italian scientists were found guilty of manslaughter by an
Italian court for failing to predict the 2009 L’Aquila
earthquake. They were each sentenced to six years in prison,
plus damages. They were also ordered to pay the massive court
costs, including that of the prosecution, as well as damages.
Finally, the guilty scientists were barred from ever holding
public office again. Among those convicted was Enzo Boschi, one
of the world’s most respected seismologists, and former head of
the Italian National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology.
The Oct. 22 guilty verdict is the culmination of a trial that
began in September 2011. The judge deliberated for only four
hours before issuing his verdict. Consistent with Napoleonic law
used throughout most of continental Europe, a jury was not
involved. More than 300 people perished in the central Italy 6.9
magnitude earthquake. The region resides on an active volcano
and earthquake zone. The 6 convicted scientists were members of
the Great Risks Commission, an I