Murder mysteries are a popular form of modern fiction. Skillful writers can draw in readers with setting, character(s), mood, and time frame. True stories can often instill disbelief when facts become surreal, outside of normal experience.
Journalists Douglas Preston, American, and Mario Spezi, an Italian, have done a fine job consolidating the facts of an as yet unsolved case involving a serial killer who stalked the fringes of the iconic Italian city of Florence. This story has multiple facets, not the least the number of innocent victims: young couples without apparent awareness of the killer's intentions.
The case began in 1968 with a murder of 2 individuals near Florence. Then, at various intervals, the same type of crime would be committed by an individual a few years later, adding up to at least 7 criminal acts, all with the same MO. The crimes were all committed with the same .22cal Beretta pistol, as confirmed by lab analysis. The last murders occurred in 1985 that were attributed to this serial killer.
Successive investigations by Italian authorities failed to identify conclusively who was the perpetrator of these horrific crimes that spread fear throughout Tuscany and nearby provinces. The journalists pursued their craft, the two sharing information and compiling notes to assist in piecing together all the details. Over time, it became apparent that competing police organizations were unable to cooperate, and the judiciary did not make matters any easier. People were arrested, tried in court, convicted, and then released on appeal after evidence and testimony were found to be false, without any truth at all, or mere rantings of false witnesses.
More later.
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