Mother vs. son at the Hotel Rosetta. Michele Grosso acquitted of criminal charges.

A paradoxical trial, steeped in family resentments, old wounds, and new accusations, concluded yesterday, at least for now, with a verdict destined to spark controversy. The story unfolded at the Hotel Rosetta, a historic hotel in the center of Ischia, which had become—unwillingly—the setting for a domestic feud pitting a mother, son, daughter, and grandchildren in a grotesque legal intrigue involving alleged false statements, as stated by attorney Giglio at the hearing.

Michele Grosso is on trial, accused of—among other things—damaging the entrance gate of his mother Rosa Matrone's hotel with car fire, and then verbally assaulting his sister Filomena and his nephew Andrea Taglialatela, using red-flagged phrases like: "Now I'll get you COVID... you're infected... if I don't kill you, I'll kill you now..." A scene that seems straight out of a Neapolitan drama, but which actually took place in the real life of Ischia.

Representing the civil party—Rosa Matrone, the defendant's mother—were lawyers Francesco and Giuseppe Di Meglio. Michele Grosso's defense was represented by attorney Mena Giglio, who thrilled the courtroom with a heated speech, followed by a retort "with Starza-style pepper" directed at the civil party's defense attorney, Giuseppe Di Meglio. The ruling, pronounced by Judge Pietro Rocco of the Ischia Courthouse, came at the end of a surprisingly lively hearing for a July 18th, almost a weekday.

The verdict: criminal acquittal, but civil conviction. For count A, damage and injury, Michele Grosso was acquitted due to the particularly trivial nature of the offense pursuant to Article 131-bis of the Criminal Code, while for count B, aggravated injury to his sister and niece, he was fully acquitted because the offense was not proven. However, the civil plaintiff secured a victory in the compensation case: Michele Grosso was ordered to pay damages to his mother, Rosa Matrone, and to pay court costs, totaling €1,796, plus statutory fees. The quantification of the damages will be entrusted to the civil judge.

This ruling leaves everyone with a half-smile and a whole list of grievances. Because while Mr. Grosso can be considered criminally safe, the family—and legal—battle is far from over.

The next level of the case is now underway. The appeal is already in the air, both on the criminal and—and especially—civil level. Because behind the torn-down gates of the Hotel Rosetta lies much more than a crime: a family in pieces, and an inheritance that continues to divide. The reporter certainly did not miss the statements of attorney Giglio, who during his speech highlighted significant elements: a family fortune exceeding two million euros, managed entirely by Michele Grosso's sister, and a post-graduation "gift" of over thirty thousand euros. These circumstances, while not relevant to the charges, add weight to the case and contribute to a far from peaceful family environment.

All of this is exacerbated by the words of Attorney Giglio: "Grosso's mother never confirmed the complaint against her son, and the only time she spoke to a judge, she said she wanted to see him." It must be stated clearly: these aspects do not fall within the merits of the criminal proceedings, but they shed significant light on the internal relationships of a family that is now deeply divided.

Meanwhile, the judge has given himself ninety days to file his reasons, while on the island there are already rumors: who will be next to speak in court?