Two local police officers, Marco Bergognini and Fabio Tarantini, have been acquitted by the Court of Appeal in Brescia of charges of violence against a disabled motorist, a 43-year-old man suffering from Tourette syndrome. The events date back to 2017 when the officers stopped the man after a high-speed chase in Salò, which led to a scuffle to prevent his escape. In the first instance, the motorist had been sentenced to three years in prison and a five-year suspension from public services.
The court’s decision upheld the officers’ defense, highlighting that witnesses had not observed any violent behavior on their part. The injuries sustained by the motorist were attributed to the collision between the vehicles during the chase and the involuntary movements resulting from his condition or attempts to extract him from the vehicle. The defense attorneys argued that the use of force was “necessary” and attributed to the responsibility of the individual involved.