Sharon Verzeni Murder Trial: Bergamo Court to Deliver Verdict

The Court of Assizes in Bergamo is set to conclude today, February 25, 2026, one of Italy's most shocking criminal trials of recent years by announcing the verdict for 31-year-old Moussa Sangare. The man, originally from Mali, is accused of murdering 33-year-old Sharon Verzeni in July 2024 in the town of Terno d'Isola in Lombardy. Prosecutor Emanuele Marchisio requested a life sentence for him, citing aggravating circumstances such as premeditation and a low, almost banal motive – the crime was allegedly committed "out of boredom." The case has stirred immense emotions from the start due to the brutality and circumstances of the young woman's death. The trial, presided over by Judge Patrizia Ingrascì, has been full of twists. Sangare, who confessed early in the investigation, radically changed his story in court, retracting his statements and denying any involvement in the crime. His defense, taken over by Tiziana Bacicca after lawyer Giacomo Maj, pointed to elements in his favor and consistently called for acquittal. This line was met with firm opposition from the civil party. The representative of the victim's family, lawyer Luigi Scudieri, in his final speech emphasized the irrefutable nature of the evidence. „Sangare ha scelto di essere un assassino” (Sangare chose to be a murderer.) — Luigi Scudieri, lawyer for the victim's family. This statement clearly defined the accused's stance in the eyes of the victim's family. Scudieri also referenced another high-profile Italian case from Garlasco, noting that modern investigations do not always rely on direct witness testimonies but on hard evidence. years from murder to verdictThe key, and according to the prosecution decisive, piece of evidence in the case is a trace of DNA from Sharon Verzeni, found on Sangare's bicycle. The prosecution ruled out the possibility of accidental contamination, arguing that this trace directly links the accused to the crime scene and the victim. Two opposing narratives stood before the court: the prosecution's clear version, based on material evidence, and the defense's staunch denial of guilt, which challenged the credibility of their client's earlier statements. Due to its dramatic course and poignant motive, the case has captivated not only the local community of Bergamo but also national media for many months. Today, after lengthy proceedings, the court is to deliver the final verdict, closing this grim chapter. The Court of Assizes (Corte d'Assise) in Italy is the judicial body that adjudicates the most serious criminal cases, such as murders. Its mixed composition, consisting of two professional judges and six lay judges (jurors) selected from citizens, aims to incorporate the "common sense" of society in judging cases of particular gravity. This institution, with roots tracing back to the French Revolution, functions in many European legal systems. The wait for the verdict has been fueled by emotional comments from the family's lawyer, Luigi Scudieri, who in media interviews stressed the strength of the evidence. The lawyer's statements indicated the civil party's deep conviction of the accused's guilt and expectation of a harsh sentence. For the community of Terno d'Isola and the entire Lombardy region, the announcement of the sentence will symbolically close a nearly two-year period of uncertainty and mourning. The verdict of the Court of Assizes in Bergamo will be delivered in the name of the Italian Republic.