Francesco Mangione

Francesco Mangione is an Australian, convicted of the murder of his 26 year old cousin, Denis Giunta on February 5, 2002 in his Williamstown home.

Early life

Mangione and Giunta each operated a Mr Whippy ice cream sales van. A turf war had escalated between Mangione and Giunta in regards to where the two operated their businesses.

Attack

On February 5, 2002, Giunta returned home from work. After showering he stepped naked into the bedroom where his wife lay sleeping and Mangione lay in wait. Mangione then attacked Giunta slashing, stabbing and hacking at him with a home made sword . Giunta's wife, Laura, awakened by her husbands screams, escaped via the bedroom's balcony leading to the outside garage roof where she leapt to the ground, breaking her leg, requiring further hospitalisation for 21 days and in need of a wheelchair and crutches upon her release. Ginuta died at the scene from massive injuries. .

Trial

The trial lasted 10 days. On February 13, 2004, Mangione was found guilty by a jury and sentenced by Justice David Harper to 22 years imprisonment, with a non-parole period of 18 years. Both men had a prior violent encounter in 1993. On February 21, 2006, the Supreme Court of Victoria Court of Appeal dismissed Mangione's appeal against the severity of his sentence. Mangione continues to maintain his innocence. He is imprisoned at Barwon Prison.

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