Maxi Trial

The Maxi Trial was a criminal trial that took place in Sicily during the mid-1980s that saw hundreds of defendents on trial for a multitude of crimes relating to Mafia activities.

Preceeding Events

The existence and crimes of the Mafia had been denied or merely downplayed by many people in authority for decades, despite proof of it's criminal activities dating back to the 19th Century. In fact it was only in 1980 that it was first seriously suggested that being a member of the Mafia should be a specific criminal offence by Communist politician Pio La Torre, and that law only came into effect two-years later after La Torre had been gunned down for making that very suggestion.

Related Topics:
19th Century - 1980 - Communist - Politician

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During the early 1980s, a Mafia War had raged as Corleonisi boss Salvatore Riina decimated other Mafia Families, resulting in hundreds of murders, including several high-profile authority figures such as Carlo Alberto Dalla Chiesa. The increasing public revulsion at such killings gave the necessary momentum for Magistrates like Giovanni Falcone and Paolo Borsellino to try to deliver a serious blow to the far-reaching criminal organization on the island.

Related Topics:
1980s - Salvatore Riina - Carlo Alberto Dalla Chiesa - Giovanni Falcone - Paolo Borsellino

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