Costa Concordia captain given 16 years in jail

In a verdict handed down at a central Italian court on Wednesday following a 19-month trial, Costa Concordia captain Francesco Schettino was found guilty for his role in causing the fatal shipwreck three years ago.

A three-judge panel in Grosseto, central Italy, sentenced 54-year-old Schettino to 10 years jail for multiple counts of manslaughter, five years for causing the shipwreck, and one year for abandoning the ship.

However, he may not be behind bars for some time as the case is still subject to appeal and the judges rejected a request for him to be arrested immediately for fear he would flee the country. In Italy defendants don't begin their sentences until the appeals process, which can take years, has been exhausted. Prosecutors had called for a much longer jail sentence of 26 years three months.

From holiday to disaster

On January 13, 2013, the massive luxury cruise liner Costa Concordia strayed from its planned route, came too close to shore and struck rocks near the Tuscan holiday island of Giglio, where it partially capsized. Of the more than 4,200 people aboard at the time, 32 were killed during the chaotic and delayed evacuation.

In the days which followed, Schettino's actions were slammed by the media who dubbed him "Captain Coward" for leaving the ship while there were still passengers on board in need of rescue. Prosecutors had called him a "reckless idiot."

Schettino had admitted some wrongdoing, saying it was a "stupid mistake" when he navigated the ship close to the island in an effort to "kill three birds with one stone" -namely do a favor for his chief waiter, visit a friend on the island, and put on a show for the passengers.

On Wednesday, Schettino broke down in tears before the court while making a final plea for mercy. He said he had been "sacrificed" to safeguard his former employer's economic interests, and rejected accusations by the prosecution that he had shown no sense of responsibility or compassion for the victims.

"Grief should not be put on show to make a point," he said.

Schettino was the only one to face a criminal trial following the disaster. The company that owned the ship, Costa Crociere, agreed to pay a one million euro ($1.1 million) fine to avoid criminal charges, but survivors, the Tuscany region and the Giglio island authorities are all suing for further damages. In plea bargains concluded early in the investigation, five officials including the helmsman and crisis coordinator were sentenced to up to two years 10 months jail.

se/jr (dpa, AFP, Reuters, AP)