Boy accused of killing tourist after dropping 2kg statue on her head 'had a habit of throwing objects from balconies'
Prosecutors want the parents of the boy, who strongly deny any wrongdoing, to be charged with negligent manslaughter
A boy accused of killing a tourist after dropping a 2kg statue on her head has been accused of having a "habit of throwing objects from balconies".
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Chiara Jaconis, 30, had been celebrating her birthday in Naples with her boyfriend when she was struck on the head by an onyx statue that was allegedly chucked from a third-floor balcony by a 13-year-old boy.
The teen was cleared by a juvenile court because he is under the age of 14 and therefore cannot be held criminally responsible.
However prosecutors investigating Chiara's death claim the tragedy could have been prevented and that the boy's parents should have stopped him.
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The teen had previously chucked clothes pegs, a remote control, and a tablet off of balconies, prosecutors allege.
They are calling for the boy's mother and father to be charged with negligent manslaughter.
The family strongly deny any wrongdoing, insisting they had no involvement in the tragedy and that the statue did not belong to them.
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Distressing CCTV footage shows the moment the boy allegedly dropped the statue an estimated 32ft from the balcony onto a quiet street in Naples, hitting Chiara on the head before it shattered on the pavement.
Chiara is shown instantly collapsing to the ground while her boyfriend Livio, just paces behind her, drops to his knees and cries out for help.
She was taken to hospital where she underwent emergency surgery but died two days later from brain injuries.
The family of the boy deny any wrongdoing and even request their son's case to be reopened so he can be fully acquitted, rather than just because of his age.
Carlo Bianco, the couple’s lawyer, said in a statement: “This is a tragedy that has struck two respectable families, that of poor Chiara and that of the two professionals."
He said the teen had experienced "health problems' from birth with the parents showing “great care and protection” towards their son.
He said the family wants the boy to be fully cleared of any wrongdoing.
A preliminary hearing for the parents is due to take place on June 26.
Chiara's parents are still fighting for justice following her death.
Her father Gianfranco Jaconis said the hearing was a "step we’ve been waiting for" but that a "hard and tortuous journey lies ahead".
He added: “The only consolation that will help us face this new tortuous journey, made up of hearings, testimonies, and interrogations, is that we are finally getting to the truth – the one we have always sought.”