“They are heroes for me because, despite challenges, they did their job,” said the 37-year-old, who was a young law student when they were killed.
Luciani now has that same job, and he claims it is the one he has always dreamed of, but it is not leaving him a life.
“Here it’s just home to office to home and you think twice about making friends,” said Luciani, who lives in an isolated house outside town to give his dog space, and is unruffled by the arson attack on a judge’s country house last year that nearly killed him and his family.
“Experience suggests that, if they really want to get you, bodyguards can be a deterrent, but cannot stop them,” he said.
To explain who “they” are, Luciani pulls out a map of the province, which is split into four Mafia zones of control or mandamenti, each with its own boss who in turn rules over local clans, 20 listed in all in a province with a population of 287,000. Such intelligence is shaped by wiretaps.
“Do we fear moles in the justice building? Yes, it happens,” said Luciani. “That’s why documents circulating between offices are sealed.”
For Marino, the Mafia in Caltanissetta remains entrenched in society.
Against such odds, said Lari, victories are being scored, but the empty offices in the justice building and the clapped-out cars outside give the Mafia an edge at a crucial moment.
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