Man on trial for murder dies in dock | World news

Man on trial for murder dies in dock

An Italian man accused of murdering his American ex-girlfriend died of a heart attack as he gave evidence about the case at his trial in Rome.

Carlo Ventre, who had previously suffered heart problems, died as he stood in the dock.

Before his court appearance, Ventre, 59, had said he feared he would be unwell while giving evidence. He had seemed tired and was sweating, his lawyer, Roberto Leonardo, said.

Mr Leonardo said that initially while giving evidence, Ventre seemed to be fine. But he suddenly stopped and said he felt unwell, before slumping back in his chair.

He was standing trial on Wednesday last week over the murder of his ex-girlfriend Toni Dykstra, a 29-year-old mother who lived near Los Angeles. Her body was found in Ventre's apartment in the Italian capital in 1998.

Yesterday Ms Dykstra's family, who had waited nine years to see Ventre stand trial, expressed both frustration that the trial had not been completed, and relief that Ventre was now dead.

"I really wish that we had gotten to a conviction, because it would have made me feel better, but that didn't happen," said Ms Dykstra's father, Milt.

However, Ms Dykstra's sister Teri Martinez said Ventre's death removed a burden from the family. "I always carried with me the fear he would kill or hurt someone else in my family," she said. "For the first time in years, I can sleep without fear."

Ventre and Ms Dykstra had lived together in Downey, a south Los Angeles suburb, for about a year but never married.

In 1998 Ms Dykstra travelled to Italy to retrieve the couple's 11-year-old daughter, Santina, and had obtained an Italian court order giving her custody and allowing the pair to return to the United States.

Her body was found in Ventre's apartment a day before she was due to return home.

Ventre was arrested after he travelled to the US in 1999. He was convicted of international parental kidnapping charges, and jailed for nearly a year. After completing his sentence, Ventre was extradited to Italy to face charges of murder.

Ventre had pleaded not guilty, saying he acted in self defence after Ms Dykstra attacked him with an axe.

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