Italy, Here I Come Chapter 58 Appeal

On March 3, the Rome High Court held a closed trial of Matteotti's defamation appeal. Although Matteotti's defense lawyers tried their best, they were defeated by Contini's four lawyers in the end. The court basically made a ruling to uphold the original verdict, but also gave Matteotti a little face: although it involved many important people, the claim of 10 million lire was still too heavy, and the amount of compensation was reduced to 2 million lire, and Matteotti was required to fulfill it within 15 days.

However, there was another requirement that the Rome High Court supported Contini's claim: Matteotti must publicly publish an apology letter in "Socialist", otherwise the court can order "Socialist" to stop publication.

This is Contini's hidden killer. Although the "Socialist" newspaper was not listed as a co-defendant in the defamation lawsuit, it does not mean that Contini decided to let the newspaper go. Dare to stand up and fight a war of words? Then be prepared to bear the anger.

Matteotti's face was uncertain at the appeal seat, and he didn't know how to deal with this matter, although his defense lawyer had revealed the possible trial results to him beforehand: when the evidence and facts are basically confirmed, the High Court will basically not overturn the relevant judgment of the lower court in order to maintain the authority of the law, otherwise the case will be overturned once the appeal is made, and how can the local court open in the future.

Even so, Matteotti still had a fluke, thinking that there was still room for easing. The maximum concession he could accept was to apologize in court and then pay a symbolic compensation, but when he saw the two items of 2 million lire compensation and public apology in the newspaper, he knew that he was in big trouble.

2 million lire is equivalent to 100,000 US dollars, which is still a huge amount for most middle-class people at this time - having assets of 10,000 US dollars can be classified as middle-class in Rome. Although Matteotti is the Secretary-General of the Socialist Party and a member of parliament for many years, he can only make up this amount at most with all his family wealth.

This is not the most fatal. The most fatal thing is that he apologized publicly in the Socialist Party. This is equivalent to a great loss of face for Matteotti. Not only does it damage his image as a member of parliament, but in a serious case, he may even resign from the position of secretary general in the party. This is a heavy blow to his political future.

Contini looked at him with a smile. Now Matteotti has another way to turn the situation around: appeal to the Italian Supreme Court, hoping to get a chance to change the verdict or send it back for retrial, but the defense lawyers told him that the probability of this happening is less than 1%. Italy is a country that implements the two-instance final judgment system. The local court is the first instance, and the high court is the second instance. Even if the legal procedures are declared to be completed, the appeal to the Supreme Court may be accepted or directly rejected. Even if it is accepted, the possibility of the Supreme Court making such a decision is very low. The reason is the same. If the Supreme Court always changes the judgment of the lower court easily, how can the authority of the entire judicial system be maintained? How to ensure the embodiment of the two-instance final judgment system?

"I can let the Socialist Party come forward to communicate, let the Supreme Court accept it, and then..." Matteotti's teeth clattered.

But he was interrupted by his lawyer halfway through: "Sir, I understand your feelings, but it's best not to do such a thing, even if there is a little rumor."

"Why?"

"This will become an interference of the administration and political parties in the judiciary. Once the bastard on the other side leaks it, you will cause greater trouble."

"That's impossible... There weren't many in the past..." At this point, Matteotti himself couldn't say anything. There were indeed many in the past. The Socialist Party, the Liberal Party, the Democratic Party, and the Nationalist Party would put pressure on the judiciary. The problem was that it was not a match of equal strength, so the interference was interference. Although there is only one Contini standing in front of him now, the entire Fascist and administrative organs are standing behind him. Although Mussolini has not commented on this lawsuit, Matteotti is 100% sure that Mussolini must have played a role in fueling the flames behind the scenes. Otherwise, a small defamation case can make 4-5 cabinet ministers testify in court and support it?

Seeing Matteotti's bad face, Contini also asked his lawyers: "This guy refuses to admit defeat, is he still thinking of appealing to the Supreme Court?"

"It's possible, but the probability of the Supreme Court accepting it is extremely low."

"What if he uses the power of the Socialist Party to put pressure on you?"

"That's even better! As long as there is a little evidence, you can report that the Socialist Party interferes with the judiciary... We are ready to fight the lawsuit for you for a year!"

Contini was speechless: The lawyers are of course happy to play this way, they can get a steady stream of legal fees - in just two months, he has paid more than 1 million lire. If the lawsuit lasts for a year as these four lawyers said, at least 10 million lire will be paid!

Another lawyer explained, "You can't lose this case. The Prime Minister and the Fascists are behind you. How could they allow you to lose so easily? Besides, isn't the charge of interfering with the judiciary a means for the Prime Minister to attack his political opponents? You are also a top student in the law department of the University of Rome. You must understand that pure judicial justice does not exist. True judicial justice can only be achieved under the premise of equal strength between the two parties. As for the strength behind you, I can't say that you can completely overwhelm the Socialist Party, but at least you can be on equal footing with them."

Lawyers are all good people, and barristers are no exception. They have long seen this truth. They will not come forward to fight a lawsuit that is bound to fail at their level. Otherwise, why are there many other famous lawyers in Italy? Willing to accept Matteotti's offer but few? This group of people have long seen that the success or failure of Matteotti does not lie in a mere piece of evidence or writing, but in the oppression of the entire fascist force, so they either offer sky-high agency fees to scare Matteotti away, or simply directly Decline politely. Only a few middle-level and well-known lawyers thought about whether they could make a fortune by becoming rich. Once they brought down Contini's team of famous lawyers, they would become famous. Now it seems that they have obviously failed.

But Contini relaxed in an instant. 10 million lire is nothing, I have plenty of money! If he can really hold on to the Socialist Party, not to mention his own status and importance will rise, even the status of the Youth League and the reputation of "Youth Daily" will reach a higher level. He is already preparing to follow the example of "Times" and launch a new campaign next month. "Youth Weekly", as a magazine supplement to "Youth Daily", will not worry about losing popularity when the time comes.

So he nodded and said: "Okay! I will stay with you until the end. I hope Mr. Matteotti will not disappoint me. Well... I don't know which house he is going to mortgage this time."

Several barristers all smiled: Matteotti has mortgaged a house for this appeal and hiring a lawyer. If there is another protracted legal battle, I don’t know if Matteotti, who is exhausted mentally and physically, can bear it. Anyway, Everyone knows that their client is rich: he has opened 6 or 7 industries in one go, and all of them are making a living at a loss. They even set up a printing factory to ensure that the printing effect of "Youth Daily" is better and faster. To ensure that "Youth Daily" is published simultaneously in other places and transported by air, this is a waste of money. How long will it take if I don't earn this young man's money now?

After making up his mind, Contini was ready to stand up and stimulate Matteotti. During the final presentation stage of both parties, he suddenly said unexpectedly: "Since Mr. Matteotti keeps saying that he is petitioning for the people and representing the name, now I will give you a chance to prove yourself. You don’t need to pay for the 2 million lire compensation yourself. You only need to recruit 10,000 people from your supporters, and each person will donate 200 lire to make up the money. I will I think you have the support of public opinion, so there is no need to publicly apologize... I will not use this money for myself after collecting it, I will use it for public welfare. "

Matteotti and his defense lawyer had just breathed a sigh of relief when Contini suddenly threw a second bucket of water at him: "However, in exchange, you have to give me a detailed list of the 10,000 people who have donated, and I will send reporters and Other investigators will visit them one by one. If they find fabrication, coercion, inducement, deception or forgery, more storms may be waiting for you..."

Matteotti suddenly became furious: "Who do you think you are! Why should I listen to you? I will appeal to the Supreme Court! I believe that the Italian judicial system will give me justice."

Contini shrugged: "Okay, let's continue..."