An Italian socialite has been sentenced to 18 years for the murder of a bag thief she ran down with her Mercedes SUV.
During a hearing in Lucca, Cinzia Dal Pino, 67, appeared alongside her daughter, as the judge announced she could serve her sentence for voluntary homicide at home, as reported by Italian outlet L’Unione Sarda.
Dal Pino, who owns a beach resort, faced murder charges after surveillance footage reportedly showed her hitting Nourdine Mezgoui, a Moroccan national suspected of stealing her bag, in September 2024.
Prosecutor Sara Polino argued that Dal Pino acted with “excessive revenge” and sought a life sentence. Meanwhile, Dal Pino’s defense claimed she merely wanted to retrieve her bag, requesting her charge be reduced to “negligent excess of self-defense.”
Dal Pino’s lawyer, Entico Marzaduri, expressed disappointment with the verdict, stating, “I expected a different outcome, both in terms of the legal classification and the severity of the sentence,” and announced plans to appeal.
Dal Pino chose not to comment after the sentencing, but the victim’s lawyer welcomed the decision.
“It’s the decision we’ve been waiting for—that is, harsh, severe. 18 years is still a long time,” said Enrico Carboni, representing Mezgoui’s family, as reported by the Italian news agency ANSA.
Another family representative, Gian Marco Romanini, praised the prosecutors for their “serious meticulous job” and expressed reassurance with the ruling.
Dal Pino reportedly drove her SUV into Mezgoui after he allegedly stole her bag in Viareggio, intentionally veering into him as he walked alongside the sidewalk.
She hit him several times before retrieving her belongings from his motionless body and leaving the scene.
Coroners confirmed Mezgoui died from a severe laceration of the abdominal aorta and internal bleeding.
Dal Pino’s team also claimed she was threatened with a knife, though no blade was found at the scene. She was required to wear an electronic tag prior to her sentencing.
