An upcoming hearing at Turin’s Palace of Justice on February 19 will mark a turning point for the Costanzia family. Pietro and Rocco Costanzia, brothers of Carlo Costanzia di Costigliole, face charges of attempted murder after an assault at the end of 2023 against Oreste Borelli, a young Italian who sustained a partial leg amputation in the incident. Judge Ombretta Vanini is to preside over the trial, which also involves seven other defendants, including Carlo Costanzia di Costigliole, the father of Pietro and Rocco, accused of cover up and document falsification. The case has drawn strong local attention because it ties a prominent local family to violent crime allegations, and observers expect a courtroom drama that could reveal networks and loyalties at the heart of the Costanzia group. The proceedings will unfold under the gaze of a community keen to understand whether ties of kinship will influence judicial outcomes and how investigators unravel layers of association within the family enterprise.
Investigations contend the assault grew out of Borelli’s alleged insinuations toward Pietro’s partner. Pietro told prosecutors that Borelli harassed his girlfriend, and he says he acted to teach him a lesson rather than to kill or seriously hurt him. The prosecution maintains that the act was premeditated, which could lead to harsher penalties if proven. In addition to the attempted murder charges, Pietro and Rocco are also under scrutiny for a possible drug trafficking offense linked to their alleged activities as part of a broader inquiry into illicit networks associated with the group. The defense is likely to push back by arguing spontaneous reaction rather than a calculated plan, asserting that the events unfolded in a moment of heat rather than as a planned crime, and questioning the strength of the evidence tying the defendants to a larger scheme.
The proceedings will include testimonies and forensic assessments as Turin judges weigh if the acts amount to premeditation and aggravated violence. The court will scrutinize testimonies, examine forensic findings, and determine whether the alleged planning elements meet the threshold of aggravated criminal behavior. The case presents a test for the local justice system as it grapples with allegations that mix personal grievances with potentially wider criminal patterns, including suspected trafficking. As the investigation advances, prosecutors aim to present a clear timeline and substantive evidence to support the charges while the defense seeks to undermine the links between the events and any organized network involved.
The indictment also explores a possible drug trafficking offense linked to Pietro and Rocco as prosecutors examine a broader network behind the violence. The cross connections alleged by authorities reflect an effort to map out whether illicit supply chains intersect with the acts described, potentially elevating the severity of the charges. Prosecutors are expected to outline the relevant facts and present witness testimony that situates the assault within a larger pattern of activity attributed to the defendants. Defense counsel will push back by arguing that the alleged trafficking claims lack robust corroboration and that the primary focus should remain on the assault itself and the intent behind it for purposes of the murder attempt charges.
The list of those charged includes two friends of the Costanzas and Zahara Bao Rider, Pietro’s former girlfriend, accused of attempting to obtain a mobile phone for the brothers in prison for two thousand euros. The prosecutor’s office is also examining the father’s role in a suspected falsification of a rental contract in Madrid, alleged to have facilitated Zahara’s visits to Pietro while he was detained. The cross-border element underscores how investigators track communications and access that might enable coordination between defendants and allies far from the Italian capital. Lawyers for Zahara and for others indicted say they will present their side as the case moves forward, often arguing for the release of certain pieces of evidence and highlighting potential gaps in the charges. The Madrid connection adds a layer of international scrutiny that is likely to influence how the defense frames its strategy in the coming hearings and how prosecutors argue chain of custody and documentary authenticity.
The group of accused also includes other individuals tied to the Costanza network, including two associates and Zahara Bao Rider, whose alleged attempt to secure a mobile device for the prisoners demonstrates how inmates can remain connected to outside contacts. The prosecution’s examination of a rental contract in Madrid is presented as a potential mechanism to keep or facilitate access to visitors, raising questions about how prison systems monitor and regulate inmate contact. The defense is expected to challenge the authenticity and relevance of the documents presented, while prosecutors stress the necessity of these pieces to establish the full scope of contact between the alleged conspirators and the imprisoned individuals. Observers note that cross-border concerns raise questions for European prosecutors about how to coordinate with foreign authorities when potential fraud and trafficking elements are involved in a single case.
A second magistrate-linked figure is the Costanzia cousin, the partner of a police officer who participated in the investigation. It was initially suggested that she could have helped conceal the defendants, but Torino Cronaca notes that she may not have been fully aware of the plan’s scope. She and Claudia Palin, Pietro’s current partner, could be excluded from the proceedings after reaching an agreement with the prosecutor. This type of resolution, where cooperation yields a narrowing of charges or even withdrawal from the trial, is a common feature of complex cases where many players are involved. Such developments are often watched closely by international audiences seeking to understand how negotiated outcomes influence long trials and the public record, especially in cases that draw international attention for their cross-border implications and the involvement of relatives with ties to law enforcement families. In Europe, and by extension for audiences in Canada and the United States, settlements and conditional agreements can significantly shape the narrative and timeline of the proceeding as new evidence comes to light and strategic decisions are made by both sides.
Another person mentioned is the Costanzia cousin, partner of a police officer who participated in the investigation. While initial reports suggested she could have aided in concealing the accused, Torino Cronaca reports that she may not have known the full extent of the plan prior to its execution. She and the current partner of Pietro, Claudia Palin, could be excluded from the process after reaching a formal agreement with the Prosecutor. The developments demonstrate how prosecutors balance testimony, cooperation, and charge reduction in intricate cases, while defense attorneys stress that not all alleged connections support the core claims against the primary defendants. North American readers following European justice will note how such settlements can alter court dynamics and influence the ultimate findings presented at trial, even when key accusations remain unresolved at this stage of the proceedings.