Husband indirectly admitted killing wife

THE former treasurer of the Bank of Athens, Vincenzo Pietropaolo, indirectly confessed to the murder of his wife, Manuela, twice since his arrest.

This was revealed at the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s court, where Pietropaolo was applying for bail this week.

During emotionally charged proceedings, Pietropaolo broke down in tears after hearing his three sons ask the court not to grant bail.

Pietropaolo was arrested in November last year for allegedly shooting his estranged wife nine times at their Brackenhurst home.

It was confirmed in court on Thursday that he was facing another charge of murder relating to the killing of his father, Pasqualino, after ballistics reports showed the firearm used to kill Manuela was one of the firearms reported stolen from Pasqualino’s home.

Prosecutor Goodwill Hlebela argued that Pietropaolo, armed with an Italian passport, could easily flee the country if granted bail.

He then read into the record the affidavits by Pietropaolo’s three sons, who all believed their father was responsible for the killing.

A teary- eyed Pietropaolo said he thought he had a good relationship with his sons – at least until he separated from Manuela three years ago.

It was investigating officer, Kenneth Mathebula, who revealed that the accused had all but confessed to Manuela’s killing, despite declaring he would plead not guilty.

Mathebula said on the night of the killing, the police seized his cellphone and saw a message to his girlfriend, that read: “I’m sorry, baby, I shot her. Now I’m going to jail.”

He had allegedly written a letter to his brother, telling him he was ashamed of what he had done.

The bail application will continue next week.