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A teenage boy is facing up to 20 years in prison after killing his abusive father to in an attempt to defend his mother who had suffered years of domestic abuse.
Lawyers have charged Alex Pompa, 18, with murder over the killing of his father, Giuseppe Pompa, 52.
Alex has admitted to stabbing his father 24 times in an attempt to defend his mother from an assault. The killing happened in the municipality of Collegno, Italy, on April 30 last year.
Investigators discovered that Giuseppe had physically and emotionally abused his wife for years, and would call her hundreds of times a day to check up on her.
© Provided by Daily MailAlex Pompa, 18, is facing up to 20 years in prison after killing his abusive father to in an attempt to defend his mother who had suffered years of domestic abuse. Pictured: Alex Pompa (right) with his lawyer Claudio Strata
On the night of the crime, Alex and his brother sent a text to their uncle seeking help because they feared their father would become violent towards their mother.
The message read: 'You are the only one who listens. You have to take drastic action. Here we all risk our lives.'
Later that night, Giuseppe launched a violent attack against his wife, claiming that he had seen one of her co-workers put his hand on her shoulder.
He reportedly threw a phone at her face when Alex, who was 17 at the time, intervened.
Alex took a knife from the kitchen and stabbed his father repeatedly until he died. He then called the police and explained what had happened.
He was initially put under house arrest but the judges later determined that being kept in the home where the killing took place would be too traumatic for him.
Alex was allowed to serve his house arrest at a friends home, where he completed his final exams, gaining a score of 87/100 and enrolling in university.
The Minister of Public Education at the time, Lucia Azzolina, even phoned Alex to congratulate him.
Prosecutors have now confirmed that they are pressing ahead with a charge of murder but no date has yet been set for a trial.
Alex will have to face the charge of voluntary murder with the aggravating circumstance of having acted against a family member.
The defence has 20 days to make an appeal. Even taking into account mitigating circumstances, Alex faces up to 20 years in prison.
For help and information on domestic abuse in Italy, you can call Antiviolenza Donne on 1522. The helpline is free to contact and open 24/7.
In the UK, you can find help at www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk
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