A 27-year-old Cuban national, identified as Carlos Omar Morales, has been sentenced to 12 years in prison in Italy for the death of Teodoro Ullasci. The incident occurred on March 22, 2024, in L'Aquila, located in central Italy. Morales, who was residing in L'Aquila, faced charges of involuntary manslaughter in collaboration with 37-year-old Romanian national Alexandru Dumitru Balan, according to local media reports.
Involuntary manslaughter refers to causing someone's death without the intent to kill, but with the intent to inflict harm that could potentially result in death. During the trial, Morales claimed that the victim had been threatening him to assist in distributing prescription medications. Morales stated that under pressure and under the influence of drugs, he struck Ullasci, not realizing the severity of the situation until later.
Footage from security cameras on Via Fortebraccio showed Morales assaulting the victim. This, as per the prosecution's expert, Giuseppe Calvisi, led to a fatal arrhythmia in Ullasci. The defense argued that the combination of alcohol, cocaine, and other medications in Ullasci's system might have been the primary cause of death, regardless of the assault. However, the court concluded that the assault was the trigger and imposed a 12-year prison sentence on Morales.
Following the tragic death of 59-year-old Teodoro Ullasci, his family, originally from Sardinia, traveled to L'Aquila to handle funeral arrangements and cooperate with the investigation. They appealed to anyone with information about the incident to contact the police, stressing the need for full clarity on the events.
Additionally, the family sought assistance in finding "Akki," Teodoro's dog, which went missing after the incident and was seen wandering around L'Aquila's historic center. They urged those who spotted the dog to provide shelter and reach out to them to facilitate a reunion.
Key Details about the Involuntary Manslaughter Case in Italy
What charges did Carlos Omar Morales face?
Carlos Omar Morales was charged with involuntary manslaughter for his involvement in the death of Teodoro Ullasci.
What was the role of Alexandru Dumitru Balan in the case?
Alexandru Dumitru Balan, a Romanian national, was accused of collaborating with Morales in the incident that led to Ullasci's death.
How did the defense argue against the charges?
The defense claimed that Ullasci's death could have been caused by a mixture of alcohol, cocaine, and other medications, rather than the assault by Morales.