Giulia Bongiorno

"The part of the Supreme Court’s ruling regarding the statute of limitations is different. The Court of Appeals’ ruling stated, “Before 1980, there were ties to the Mafia; after that, there were not.” The Supreme Court’s ruling—which is the final instance, and which no one wants to examine—states that, regarding the period prior to 1980, there are two alternative truths: the possibility that he (Giulio Andreotti) either had ties to the Mafia or did not. There is a situation of doubt, but it makes no sense to go back and determine which of the two alternative truths applies, because the statute of limitations has expired. So it remains a matter of doubt. Quite different from the appellate ruling."

"Angelino is intelligent, has depth and culture, but these qualities must translate into the ability to say no even to Berlusconi."

"Filippo Carobbio’s defense strategy is clear: to downplay his crime as a mere transgression, thereby avoiding a dangerous criminal conspiracy charge. This is why Carobbio accuses Conte; this is why he tries to downplay his own role in the soccer betting scandal. For the Disciplinary Commission, Carobbio is a witness of absolute credibility; Carobbio is divine, one and triune—a mythologization that struck me but is by no means accidental, because the judges used the famous “ping-pong” cross-examination technique on him."

"Plea bargaining is becoming like honey for false turncoats. To get a reduced sentence. They rejected it for Conte, and for a man like him, it’s better that way. Better a century-long ban."

"The watchword is disparity. [..] We must aim to have much more than men if we truly want to make up for what we’ve lacked so far. Centuries of discrimination, abuse, unfavorable laws. I consider it compensation for everything we’ve been through."

"The first thing I tell my new clients is: “It happened to you; it's a misfortune. Just think of it as if you'd been diagnosed with cancer.” I wasn't just wondering if Andreotti would be acquitted. I was wondering if he'd have time to read all the documents, if he'd even make it alive to the Court of Cassation."

"Don’t ask yourself why this misfortune has befallen you specifically, or you’ll go mad. Get it into your head that it’s a total loss."

"You come out of a criminal trial with at least a nervous tic."

"In the courtroom, you often have to improvise. The better prepared you are, the better you are at improvising."