Finding Faults: In a verdict that shocked the scientific community, six Italian scientists were convicted of manslaughter in October for not providing the public with acceptable earthquake risk information. The charges stemmed from a public meeting in 2009 which some claim gave false reassurances that L’Aquila wouldn’t be struck by an earthquake. A week later, 309 people died when a 6.3 magnitude temblor struck nearby.
Although its widely held that earthquakes are impossible to predict, the judge presiding over the case found the scientists and a public official guilty for what prosecutors called “incomplete, imprecise, and contradictory” earthquake warnings, according to Reuters.
Beyond the plight of the scientists on trial—who were sentenced to six years in jail as well as damages and court costs—many feared the verdict would hinder scientists who might feel a wrong move could spell jail time or large fines.
Shaken but Still Stirring: All seven defendants have filed appeals before the March 6 deadline, according to the Nature Newsblog. The scientists will argue that all their statements were scientifically accurate and that they are not responsible for official communications of risk to the public. They also maintain that there is no causal link that confirms those killed would not have been in their homes during the earthquake if not for the information disseminated at the meeting, according to Nature.
“The sentence is self-contradictory and illogical,” Giulio Selvaggi, one of he accused, told Nature. “The appeal is really about logic and cause-and-effect relationships, not about legal quibbles.”
The Next Shock: Three judges will preside over the appeals trial in L’Aquila, and the sentences will remain on hold in the meantime, according to Nature. A trial date has not yet been announced.