Edward Marchesi On 14 October 2025, the explosion of a farmhouse in Castel D'Azzano, in the province of Verona, caused the death of three members of the Carabinieri, sparking a long judicial spiral that is still making its way through the courtrooms. Three brothers – Franco (66), Dino (64) and Maria Luisa Ramponi (60) – have been accused of conspiracy to commit massacre , possession of explosive material and resisting a public official.
The event also involved the local community, law enforcement, and the judiciary, giving rise to a story that continues to evolve.
Meanwhile, the Verona Public Prosecutor's Office has opened an investigation against the three Carabinieri commanders responsible for the clearing operation, who are potentially held liable for multiple manslaughter . The names in question are Captain Vincenzo Spataro, commander of the Villafranca company; Lieutenant Colonel Antonio Sframeli, then head of the operations unit; and Colonel Claudio Papagno, provincial commander of the Verona Carabinieri.
The night of the explosion in Castel d'Azzano
The operation took place in the early hours of October 14: Carabinieri, prison police, and firefighters responded to the Ramponi brothers' farmhouse to conduct a preliminary search in preparation for an imminent eviction. Inside, the building had been filled with gas and strewn with gasoline bottles and Molotov cocktails.
According to the investigation, Maria Luisa Ramponi triggered the explosion by throwing a lighter onto a floor covered in fuel, causing the structure to collapse.
The victims and the immediate consequences
Three Carabinieri died in the attack: Lieutenant Marco Piffari (56), commander of the Operational Support Team of the Fourth Veneto Carabinieri Battalion, Chief Brigadier Valerio Daprà (56), operator of the First Response Unit, and Carabinieri Davide Bernardello (36). Another 25 people who intervened – including soldiers, police officers and firefighters – were injured; Maria Luisa also suffered serious burns, although she continued to wear protective gloves during the investigations.
The judicial process in the courtroom
The trial began on October 26, 2025, before the Verona Court of Assizes, presided over by Judge Raffaele Ferraro. During the first hearing, the Ramponis' defense requested a psychiatric evaluation to assess the defendants' mental capacity, but the Court rejected the request, reasoning that "at this preliminary stage there is insufficient evidence." The judge left open the possibility of a subsequent evaluation, a decision that could impact the outcome of the criminal proceedings.
The first round of testimony will be held at the Assize Court on November 18. Among the witnesses expected will be the three Carabinieri commanders cited in the disciplinary proceedings—Spataro, Sframeli, and Papagno—as well as numerous civilian and technical witnesses, for a total of approximately 300 named by the parties. Criminologist Roberta Bruzzone has also been appointed to Dino Ramponi's defense, to testify on the defendants' psychological state.
Disciplinary proceedings against Carabinieri commanders
In parallel with the criminal proceedings, the Venice Prosecutor's Office has initiated disciplinary proceedings against Spataro, Sframeli, and Papagno. The aim is to determine any errors in the planning and execution of the operation, particularly the decision to proceed despite the presence of gas in the building. The first hearing in this proceeding is scheduled for October 30th before the Disciplinary Commission of the Venice Court of Appeal. The family of Lieutenant Marco Piffari has filed a complaint requesting clarification on the Carabinieri's liability, fueling public debate about possible operational negligence.
The case, still being finalized, remains a hot topic both for its criminal implications, with the Ramponi brothers facing life imprisonment, and for the potential disciplinary repercussions within the Carabinieri. The Assize Court will have to assess not only the defendants' responsibilities, but also the adequacy of the security measures adopted by the authorities during the intervention, a crucial issue in the search for the truth and protecting the rights of the victims.