Naples Restaurant Owner Sentenced in Death of Teen After Sushi Meal
A Naples court has delivered a split verdict in the case surrounding the death of Luca Piscopo, a 15-year-old who died in December 2021 following an illness linked to a meal at an “all you can eat” sushi restaurant. The ruling, handed down by Judge Giuliana Taglialatela, convicted the restaurant’s Chinese owner of manslaughter and acquitted the young man’s physician.
The case centers on allegations of food poisoning stemming from salmonella contamination at the restaurant, located in the Vomero district of Naples. Prosecutors argued that Luca’s death, attributed to myocarditis, could have been prevented with timely medical intervention.
Restaurant Owner Faces Prison Time, Hygiene Violations
The restaurant owner received a sentence of two years and six months imprisonment, alongside orders to pay €45,000 to each of the civil parties involved in the trial. In addition to the manslaughter charge, the owner was found guilty of violations related to hygiene and food conservation practices. Prosecutor Federica Amodio had initially sought a three-year sentence for the restaurateur.
The restaurant, which has since closed and no longer exists, was shuttered by the Carabinieri’s Nas unit two days after Luca’s death.
Doctor Acquitted of Manslaughter
Despite being charged with manslaughter, the doctor who treated Luca was acquitted. The prosecution had requested a sentence of one year and eight months, arguing the physician failed to adequately respond to Luca’s deteriorating condition. According to the family and subsequent investigations, the doctor never visited Luca at home during the nine days he battled the illness.
A Tragic Case and Family’s Grief
Luca Piscopo was described as a model student at the Pansini high school in Vomero. He had gone to the restaurant with four classmates when they became ill after consuming sushi. While Luca’s friends were treated for salmonellosis in time to recover, Luca’s condition rapidly worsened, culminating in his death.
“It’s an unjust sentence,” commented Maria Rosaria Borrelli, Luca’s mother, following the verdict.
The courtroom was filled with Luca’s parents and friends, including those who shared the meal with him on the fateful day. The prosecution’s case hinged on the assertion that the salmonellosis contracted at the restaurant triggered the myocarditis that ultimately claimed Luca’s life.
