The family of tragic hunter Marco Cavola, who was shot dead on a Perthshire estate, have slammed the High Court verdict which cleared his killer of culpable homicide.
Mr Cavola’s wife Sara said the acquittal of Franco Moroni, who admitted firing the fatal shot, was “absurd”.
The Italian tourist was accidentally shot by his childhood friend on a Tayside hunting trip in 2019.
Mr Moroni, 62, was acquitted of culpable homicide after a week-long trial.
He had admitted firing the shotgun which killed father-of-three Mr Cavola near Inchture but denied he acted culpably and recklessly.
A jury took just over half an hour to clear him.
Mr Moroni told the court his marriage broke up and he lives as a recluse in his hometown of Lariano, near Rome, as a result of the tragedy.
Peter Bruce, the shooting agent from Meigle who arranged the trip was fined £4,800 for breaches of health and safety and firearms legislation.
Family’s grief
The Cavola family, who do not speak English, attended every day of Mr Moroni’s trial at the High Court in Dundee, where they were aided by an interpreter.
They have now returned home to Italy but learning of the verdict, Mr Cavola’s wife Sara was devastated.
In a translated statement released through law firm Digby Brown, she said: “I understand it was an accident but this decision is absurd.
“Moroni decided to shoot without licence then shot while he was holding the rifle low – even a child knows you cannot shoot while holding a rifle low.
“Why is Moroni not held accountable for shooting low instead of in the air?
“Moroni and Bruce continue to live their lives as they want like nothing has happened.
“How should I explain this to our daughters and to our son, who is still very young.
“How should I explain to them the man who killed their dad is now out from court with no consequences for what he did?
“This is wrong.”
Family pictures
Sara and children Carla, Camilla and Piermatteo also released cherished family photos and paid tribute to the cherished husband and father.
They said: “As a family we will never get over the loss of Marco.
“He was a devoted father, husband and son and the way in which he lost is life only adds to the trauma of our loss.”
“We are saddened that it has taken nearly four years for this trial to be held and going through this process has been even harder given that it is here in Scotland.
“We’d like to thank our friends and family for their support over the last nearly-four years but we now just wish to be left to grieve in private as we try and move forwards with our lives.”
Tributes from hunting companion
Much-loved Mr Cavola, 41, was also remembered by Onorio Galoni, another friend who was at the tragic shoot in Inchture.
He paid tribute on Facebook on the anniversary of his March 25 2019 death.
Around a month after the tragic shooting, he posted (in Italian): “I will never forget the beautiful days we spent together.
“You will always be in my heart. For me you have been a person that I respected as a friend, brother, and I promise you that every day of my life I will always think of you.
“Rest in peace my brother, I will never forget you.”
A year on, he added: “I was lucky to share 30 years of my life with a sincere person like Marco, he will always remain in my heart.
“All the advice, all our adventures, I regret nothing. I love you, my friend.”
