Five acquitted in 'God's banker' death trial

A jury in Rome today acquitted all five defendants of murder charges over the 1982 death of Italian financier Roberto Calvi, who was known as “God’s banker” for his close ties to the Vatican.

Calvi’s body was found hanging from London’s Blackfriars Bridge, with rocks and cash stuffed into his suit.

The death was first ruled a suicide by police in London, but Calvi’s family pressed for further investigation and eventually Italian prosecutors brought murder charges against the five defendants.

None of the defendants was in the high-security courtroom on the outskirts of Rome when the judge read the verdict, reached after a day and a half of deliberation.

Prosecutors had asked for life sentences for four defendants, but said a fifth should be acquitted due to insufficient evidence.