The second hearing of the case regarding the murder of Italian artist Giuseppina Pasqualina Di Marineo (known as Pippa Bacca)  by Murat Karataş was held at Kocaeli’s 1st High Criminal Court today.

Prosecutor is asking for life sentence with no possibility of parole, but the trial was postponed to November 4, since there was no joint lawyer in the hearing.

One of the lawyers who has been watching the case, Funda Ekin, says, “The process was faster compared to the last hearing. This is positive.”

Karataş admitted his guilt

“Bacca’s family did not join the trial today. The court has not made up its mind about their request to join the trial. Similarly, the Purple Roof, the Association for Working Women (EKD) and the Young Lawyers Group made separate requests to join the trial. The court decided to go over the requests.”

According to the information given by Ekin, Karataş’s statement was taken. The accused said he did not remember that day, since he had drank some alcohol and used some drugs. Therefore, the statements that he had made before were read to him. Karataş accepted that he had committed the crime.

The court decided to listen to those witnesses who have not been heard yet and to hold the next hearing on December 16.

“Accept the demands by the women to join the trial”

Karataş is facing life sentence. Ekin states that although the accused usually do not accept their guilt in cases concerning the murder of women, the judges implement ‘the unjust provocation reduction’ and the defendants hide behind mental health defense, such problems were not experienced in this case.

Ekin also pointed  out to the demands by the women’s organizations to join the trial, emphasizing that all the women are under the threat of becoming victims of such crimes. Therefore, she believes, that these demands should be recognized by the courts.(EZÖ/TB)