Milan, July 9, 2025 – The Milan Court of Appeal has rejected Alessandro Impagnatiello’s request to participate in a reparative justice program, upholding his life sentence for the brutal murder of his pregnant partner, Giulia Tramontano. The decision, announced on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, was based on the court’s finding that Impagnatiello’s stated reasons for seeking the program—his confession and expressed remorse—were “irrelevant” for admission to the alternative justice pathway.

The Crime

Giulia Tramontano, a 29-year-old real estate agent from Naples, was seven months pregnant with her son, Thiago, when she was killed by Impagnatiello, a 31-year-old former bartender, on May 27, 2023, in their shared home in Senago, near Milan. Impagnatiello stabbed Tramontano 37 times after she confronted him about his infidelity with another woman, who was also pregnant. He attempted to cover up the crime by burning her body twice—first in their bathtub using ethanol, then with gasoline outside—and hid her remains behind nearby garages. He also used Tramontano’s phone to send messages, feigning her disappearance, before confessing to the crime on June 1, 2023, after blood evidence was found in his car and apartment.

Impagnatiello was convicted of aggravated voluntary homicide, non-consensual termination of pregnancy, and concealment of a corpse. His life sentence, handed down in November 2024 and confirmed in June 2025, included aggravations for cruelty and cohabitation but excluded premeditation, a point contested by Tramontano’s family.

Reparative Justice Request and Denial

Reparative justice, introduced in Italy under the Cartabia reform, allows offenders to engage in a restorative process with victims or their families, focusing on accountability, reconciliation, and community service rather than solely punitive measures. Impagnatiello’s defense, led by attorneys Giulia Geradini and Samanta Barbaglia, requested access to this program during the appeal process, proposing a “surrogate victim” due to the Tramontano family’s refusal to participate. The family, represented by attorney Giovanni Cacciapuoti, expressed firm opposition, describing their stance as “irretrievable for now.”

The Court of Appeal, presided over by Giuseppe Ondei, rejected the request, citing the lack of critical reflection by Impagnatiello on his motives, which included jealousy and fear of losing Tramontano after she discovered his parallel relationship. The court deemed his immediate confession and courtroom apologies insufficient to justify the program, emphasizing that the family’s unwillingness and the gravity of the crime—described as a “merciless murder”—rendered the request inadmissible.

Family and Public Reaction

Giulia’s sister, Chiara Tramontano, has been vocal in her grief and outrage, particularly over the exclusion of premeditation as an aggravating factor. In a June 2025 Instagram post, she called the decision a “disgust” and a “law that kills twice,” pointing to Impagnatiello’s prior attempts to poison Giulia with rat poison over six months to induce a miscarriage. Chiara’s advocacy, including her appearances on Italian television like Verissimo, has kept Giulia’s memory alive, emphasizing her sister’s gentle nature and the loss of Thiago.

Public sentiment, reflected in X posts, echoes the family’s stance. Users like @4everAnnina called the life sentence “the minimum” for such a heinous crime, while @Doc_Gio_ expressed anger at Impagnatiello’s courtroom tears, interpreting them as fear of punishment rather than genuine remorse. The case has fueled Italy’s broader debate on femicide, with Giulia’s murder, alongside that of Giulia Cecchettin, sparking national discussions on gender-based violence.

Broader Context

The rejection aligns with the Tramontano family’s pursuit of justice, as they rejected any reconciliation with Impagnatiello, who also fathered a child with another woman. The court awarded €200,000 to each of Giulia’s parents and €150,000 to each sibling as compensation. Milan and Senago have honored Giulia’s memory with awards and anti-violence initiatives, including an anti-violence center named after her and Thiago in Sant’Antimo.

The decision underscores the challenges of applying reparative justice in cases of extreme violence, particularly when victims’ families remain opposed. For further details, refer to coverage from La Repubblica, Fanpage.it, or La Stampa.