How the actor, shunned by Sumner Redstone, climbed back into his good graces
The True Monster of Florence
Back in 2000, I moved to Italy with my family to write a murder mystery set in Florence. We rented a 14th century villa on a hill just outside the city, looking out over a lovely olive grove.
I soon discovered the grove had been the site of one of the most horrifying double-murders in modern Italian history, committed by a serial killer known as the Monster of Florence. The Monster killed young couples making love in the Tuscan hills, mutilating the female victims and taking away their sex organs. He was never caught.
In the olive grove outside our house, however, the Monster made a mistake. He killed a gay couple making love, in which one of the partners was young and slender with long blond hair. When he discovered his error he was furious, trashing the site and ripping up a gay magazine he’d found.
I never wrote the novel. Instead, I teamed up with Mario Spezi, the local newspaper reporter who had covered the Monster’s killings, and together we wrote a book about it, called “The Monster of Florence.”
The book was published last June. Movie rights to the story were picked up by United Artists, with Christopher McQuarrie, Tom Cruise and Jinks/Cohen producing. (See photo above, with -- from left -- Spezi, Cruise, McQuarrie and director Bryan Singer backstage at the Rome premiere of Singer’s “Valkyrie.”)
Our investigation of the Monster case went against the official police theory of the killings. The investigators did not like our conclusions or the fact that we publicly disagreed with them. They summoned me to an interrogation, accused me of perjury, obstruction of justice, and being an accessory to murder, and suggested I leave the country. (I left the next day.)
They arrested Mario Spezi and accused him -- this is not a joke -- of being the Monster of Florence himself. He was thrown into an isolation cell in Capanne Prison outside Perugia.
The powerful state prosecutor behind all this was a man named Giuliano Mignini, Public Minister of Perugia, who headed a branch of the Monster investigation.
Spezi’s arrest generated an international uproar, led by the Committee to Protect Journalists and other freedom of press organizations. He was released after 23 brutal days in prison; Mignini was then indicted for abuse of office. And yet, in Italy, an indicted prosecutor is not automatically removed from office. Mignini remained (and remains) in power.
The announcement of the movie deal was far bigger news in Italy than it was in the U.S. Italians were thrilled that Hollywood might make a film about the country’s most famous serial killer. The name Tom Cruise is pure magic in Italy, and Italians adore “The Usual Suspects,” the movie that won McQuarrie an Oscar, considering it one of the greatest films ever made.
The news, however, was not pleasing to Giuliano Mignini. He plays a prominent role in our book and it is not a good one. His displeasure must have deepened when he was asked by reporters who he thought should play himself in the movie.
And so, it seems, Mignini reacted. Around the same time one of Italy’s biggest newspapers devoted a spread to the news of the film, Mignini struck back.
He filed a round of new charges against Mario. These include murder (yet again), “vilification” (of Mignini) and disturbing the public order by means of the press. In a court filing Mignini also wrote that I was “undoubtably involved” in the same murder cover-up and conspiracy and he told several reporters that he would have me arrested if I returned to the country.
While I am safe in America, Mario is not. Mignini’s persecution has now brought him to the brink of ruin. Despite a long and honorable career as a journalist, he can’t find freelance work now because newspapers are afraid to hire a journalist charged with murder. He came down with from a life-threatening pulmonary infection which his doctors think is partly due to an immune system compromised by stress. The legal costs have devastated him economically and he is close to losing his home.
He lives in constant fear of arrest. Using the full power of the state, Mignini is slowly crushing Mario to death, professionally, economically -- and literally.
Saturday night, April 11, CBS’ “48 Hours” will air an hour-long segment on the Amanda Knox murder trial, in which Giuliano Mignini is also the chief prosecutor. The show tells a truly horrifying story of how Mignini and the police have railroaded a charge of murder against a 20-year-old American exchange student, claiming she cut her roommate’s throat in a Satanic rite or sex game.
This is not your usual network television. Be sure to tune in.
Comments
Dave Says
Julia Henderson: Your understanding of the facts are so far off on this case as to ludicrous. Stop reading tabloids for news, will ya?
Knox's fingerprints were found all over her flat, just not in Kercher's room where the crime took place. Neither were Sollecito's. Rudy Guede's were the only prints found in Kercher's room, along with sperm, and saliva. No similar evidence of Knox or Sollecito were found. If a clean up job was done, ALL of the evidence would be gone!
Europeon media distorted Knox as a "temptress", "Foxy Knoxy", "Nymphomanic", and so on. What is the more likely scenario: Kercher was killed by a known criminal in a rape/ robbery gone wrong, or that three relative strangers conspired to involve her in a satanic sex orgy and inadvertently killed her? The evidence does not support the latter. Get a grip on reality.
J.B. Says
Anyone with any common sense whatsoever knows that Amanda Knox and Sollecito were railroaded in this case, the so-called physical "evidence" is highly suspect and other than that the prosecution offers nothing but wild ridiculous character assasination that has no basis in reality and is based on no facts whatsoever.
This is a save facing measure by a out of control ego maniac bully prosecutor Giuliano Mignini who facing his own criminal charges and past sleazy conduct couldn't handle being made to look like a fool when Rudy Guede came into the picture. So bully Mignini railroaded 2 people to "save face". Disgusting.
Amanda Knox will be freed eventually but the ones responsible for this disgusting railroad job have to save a little face first, even they know she didn't do it.
lamarqueza Says
Is Amanda innocent...??? Please analyze her behavior at the crime scene...Look at her behavior in court. What about her handwritten statement from the outset..?
I truly doubt her innocence.
@ April 12, 2009, 2:34AM
Anonymous
Hey anonymous who posted at above reference time, a message to you:
You must be one of Amanda's friends to wish that Julia Henderson meets her destiny in some horrible way. How horrible to wish ill on another human being.
I pray for justice for Meredith. When a life is taken, there is no reparation....even a life sentence will not bring Meredith back...i cannot even imagine her parents/siblings pain....my God...
I hope justice is served tomorrow for Meredith
kris Says
Just returned from Florence for the first time and never had heard of this story. Upon returning, I went to Borders and picked up the book (obviously because it said "Florence" on the cover.) Throughout the book, my predominant comment was "No Way!" As a history teacher I couldn't help but draw hundreds of parallels to "Salems Lot" or Miller's "The Crucible" (a bunch of adults believe the crazy ravings of a bunch of little girls and start executing people in the community. Of course there was the hysteria of the "devil", orgies, cults, etc. It came to end , in real life, when the girls accused the Gov.'s wife of being a witch/someone in high society). However, it is maybe easier to swallow in the austere puritan world of New England, but TODAY! I'm just glad I wasn't around a crime (ie. seeing a J-walker) in Florence or maybe I'd be locked up right now and accused of telegraphing messages from aliens to pedestrians.
bucketoftea Says
Shame on you Doug Preston, Ciolino, and Van Sant and CBS.
I hope the shitty movie of your shitty book is never made. You must see Meredith's murder as a fantastic stroke of luck by which to promote yourself.
Thank God you can't actually interfere with the trial.
True Justice for Meredith Kercher
is the only righteous cause.
Terry Says
Who can I write to protest the vilication of Amanda and her boyfriend Rafaeli by Chief Prosecutor Giuliano Mignini and the Italian government? This is most dreadful news. Thank you.
Harry Rag Says
There are two more excellent blogs that cover the Meredith Kercher case:
Lies Our Mothers Told Us
The Eclectic Chapbook
Anonymous Says
Julia Henderson, I have one comment for you. I hope that you are never put in an interigation room for 14 hours, with no interpreter, no lawyer, and then hit and told you will never see your family again if you don't tell the story the correct way.
There is not one stitch of physical evidence against Amanda and if you had ever met her or spent any time with her, you would not say the things you have said.
I hope your destiny meets you in some horrible way, as I know it will meet Mr. Mignini. You both deserve to be place in a very cold and lonely place for the remainders of your rightful lives.
Mr. Preston, thank you for the book. I thought it very sad to read so many similarities between the Monster of Florence and the Amanda's case, considering Mignini's tactics.
Anonymous Says
I don't think people understand just how much power Mignini wields, how corrupt he is, or just how obsessed he is with the occult. Many credible reporters and scientists have been run out of Italy by Mignini.
Does anyone in the US remember Nifong from the Duke Lacrosse case? Mignini makes him look like a class act.
The moral of this story is painfully clear -- one needs to be aware of the regional legal system. Just as a black man in rural Texas shouldn't expect a fair trial, an American in Italy shouldn't expect a fair trial, particularly when facing a man like Mignini.
Anonymous Says
Well, Spezie doesn't seem to be in big danger while having good time at the premiere with tom Cruise... Are you sure you're not exaggerating a little bit?
Anonymous Says
Harry Rag is a notorious Internet troll and bigtime harasser of anyone who doesn't agree that Amanda Knox is guilty. He posts his links everywhere. He hat no connection to the case nor is he a journalist.
Anonymous Says
Tom Cruise will back out of the deal as soon as Knox and Sollecito are convicted - he'll want nothing to do with these people capitalizing off the murder of Meredith Kercher.
I've heard he's already having second thoughts. He's watching and waiting.
Anonymous Says
valkyrie was such a box office disaster as have been mr cruise's other forays into film projects after his delightful meltdown on oprah's sofa and the leaked gawker scientology meltdown....the fact that this story is spezi's remake of his previous failed attempt should make for lots more lulz. will they be at the expense of the writers or the studio? i wonder.
misinformation...and hyperbole. support your assertions with facts.
Katherine Johnstone Says
I really don't see what the Monster of Florence has to do with the horrible murder of Meredith Kercher.
If the prosecuter is indicted for abuse of power, the trial would proceed without him.
Also, why Bull Jive feels that personal attacks belong in this comment section is beyond me.
Bull Jive, what are your thoughts about the murder of Meredith Kercher?
Bull Jive Says
"Aren't you the Internet harasser who posts people's real names and personal information, such as their home address?"
No. I've never done anything like that, hence not using your real name here.
"I also find it incredibly cowardly that you harass from behind the veil of anonymity. You have never had the courage of your convictions. You out people because they don't share your views, but don't have the balls to say who you are."
I've never outed anyone, so thankfully, you must be referring to someone else. You're just a Mignini apologist and have called Mr. Preston a liar numerous times on your forum. Actually you did so just today, I believe twice.
Oh, and unlike you, I've never bragged about posting under a real name, which is why it was so ironic that you chose not to do so here, yet you do everywhere else. But I'm glad you won't be gracing this comment board again, because I really don't like debating with Mignini apologists.
Julia Henderson Says
Innocent?
Knox's PR company is clearly doing their job. They are paid for presenting Amanda Knox in the best possible light and they are evidently worth the money they are receiving for their services. I would not be surprised if CBS agreed to drive the PR line of Amanda Knox in exchange for continuing access to Amanda Knox's associates/relatives and agents. Unfortunately for Amanda Knox, I feel, it will not prevent a just verdict. Would an innocent person lie to police investigating a murder? Would an innocent person present an alibi that is repudiated by the person she claims she was with? Would an innocent person bleach her room the night after the murder and not leave a single finger print of her own in her own room and claim she was not there, implying that therefore she could not have done it. Rudy Guede's conviction was as predictable as Amanda Knox's conviction will be, in my opinion. I am disgusted at how parts of the American media misrepresent the Amanda Knox case and purposefully and intentionally leave out significant pieces of evidence against Amanda Knox when they keep recycling the "Amanda Knox is innocent" theme. Consumers of the American media would conclude that Amanda Knox is innocent, however those people who read widely, (internationally), would not necessarily come to the same conclusion. Julia, Greetings from Brisbane, Australia.
Money Talks Says
One last question before I go: Aren't you the Internet harasser who posts people's real names and personal information, such as their home address? I think that is just plain wrong and possibly illegal.
I also find it incredibly cowardly that you harass from behind the veil of anonymity. You have never had the courage of your convictions. You out people because they don't share your views, but don't have the balls to say who you are.
Who are you?
Money Talks Says
I'm sorry Bull Jive, but I don't know what you're talking about. I am expressing an opinion based on my understanding. I don't get into pointless debates with hysterical people who rant and rave.
Take a tranquilizer and come back when you are a little calmer. In the interest of not further polluting this blog with your trollish invasion, I'll not be stopping by again.
You can call that cowardly if you want.
Bull Jive Says
"In the US, this could be construed as obstruction of justice." Nope. Actually that's not true at all. Please know the law before you mislead people.
"My aim is not to defend Mr Mignini. But this smear campaign has gone way too far. I know lots of dollars are at stake with the big movie deal, but that end doesn't justify these means."
You and the rest of the world knows that Spezi didn't murder anyone and that Mr. Preston was not an "accessory to murder". Don't you have a problem with abuse of prosecutorial discretion, which this clearly is? Why would you tolerate that anywhere? Do you think it was ok for Mignini to charge people Spezi with murder? Once again Miss Skeptical Bystander, you have proven yourself an absolute coward and a pathetic apologist. Very funny for someone who boasts of how they don't post anonymously chooses to do just that on this forum. You would never criticize Mignini even if you saw him kill someone because, again, you're a total coward.
Money Talks Says
My sources tell me that the story is not as simple as Doug Preston would have us believe. He and Spezi have used their access to the press to vilify this person. What Preston doesn't tell us is that one of the charges against Spezi has to do with the fact that Spezi illegally tried to tape a meeting with Mignini. He was caught in the men's room by police, trying to change the tape.
Preston also does not say that he and Spezi have been manipulating public opinion from behind the scenes with regard to the Meredith Kercher murder trial. Not because they care about Meredith Kercher, but because they have long nursed a grudge and seek revenge. Their own publisher in Italy has said that if they had information that could help the investigation, they should have come forward instead of running a parallel investigation. In the US, this could be construed as obstruction of justice.
In any case, nobody deserves a trial by media, especially when the accusers control the access to it.
My aim is not to defend Mr Mignini. But this smear campaign has gone way too far. I know lots of dollars are at stake with the big movie deal, but that end doesn't justify these means.
John Withers Says
Thank you for writing this Doug. I really enjoyed Monster of Florence and am sad to hear that Mignini is back to his old ways. Mario Spezi is a cherished journalist and this situation is really sad. I hope Mignini is convicted and goes to jail with respect to his current indictment. Perhaps then he would be forced to look inward. A truly pathetic man.
Harry Rag Says
For anyone who is interested in the facts behind the media spin, and who cares to learn more about the victim of this terrible murder - Meredith Kercher - there is an excellent discussion board
Perugia Murder File
as well as an interesting blog
True Justice For Meredith Kercher
These online resources are not for profit. Anyone can read and/or participate and people from around the world do. They have followed this case since November 2007, and are in no way related to Amanda Knox. Nor are they her friends
Marc Flanagan Says
Mr Preston,
I recently started your book, The Monster of Florence and I am enjoying it immensely. Very sorry to read the news regarding Mario Sepzi, he is depicted in your book as a wonderful and responsible person, hate to hear that he continues to be vilified for political reasons.
Good luck to Mario and to you, I look forward to the film.
Marc
PS I have a few blogs on here as well and enjoy writing for the Wrap.