New trial over Vatican leaks

A Vatican computer expert goes before a court today in a trial that could shed light on whether Pope Benedict’s former butler acted alone in leaking sensitive documents, or was a pawn in a bigger power struggle.

Claudio Sciarpelletti is accused of aiding and abetting the butler, Paolo Gabriele, who last month was sentenced to 18 months in jail for aggravated theft.

Sciarpelletti, 48, spent one night in a Vatican jail cell on May 25, two days after Gabriele was arrested.