Biography of Paolo Borsellino

Dare and righteousness

January 19, 1940
July 19, 1992
The characteristics of obstinacy, joy and passion for his work make Borsellino a special person, an example, able to transmit positive values for future generations. The sad tragedy of his assassination, as his friend and colleague Giovanni Falcone, must not be forgotten simply because that has yet to be achieved the goal of a lifetime: defeating the mafia. Paolo Borsellino was born in Palermo on January 19, 1940 in a middle class family, in the old quarter of Arab origin of Kalsa. Both parents are pharmacists. He attended the Liceo classico "Meli" and enrolled in the Faculty of law of Palermo: at the age of 22 years he graduated with honors. Member of the provincial Executive, delegate to the provincial Congress, in University student representative is elected as Paolo Borsellino in Fuan taillight. A few days after graduating suffers the loss of his father. Takes on his shoulders the responsibility to provide for his family. Agrees with the order of pharmacists to keep the activity of his father until graduating in pharmacy. Between odd jobs and repetitions Borsellino studies for competition in the judiciary that exceeds in 1963. The love for his homeland, for justice they give you that inner drive that led him to become a magistrate without neglecting our duties towards his family. His profession as a magistrate in the city of Palermo has a deep meaning for him. In 1965 is judicial officer at the Civil Court of Enna. Two years later gets the first assignment of Directors: Praetor in Mazara del Vallo in the aftermath of the earthquake. He marries at the end of 1968, and in 1969 is transferred to the District Court of Monreale where he works closely with the Carabinieri Captain Emanuele Basile. It's the 1975 when Paolo Borsellino is transferred to the Court of Palermo; in July entered the Education Department criminal trials under the guidance of Rocco Chinnici. With Captain Basile works on the first survey about the mafia: from this moment begins his great commitment, endlessly, to thwart and defeat the Mafia organization. In 1980 came the arrest of first six mafiosi. In the same year Captain Basile is killed in an ambush. For the family Purse comes the first Commons with the difficulties that this entails. By this time the climate change Purse at home: the judge must relate to the guys on the Commons that are always at the side and that will forever change his habits and those of his family. Borsellino, magistrate "of great intelligence, of a serious and reserved, dignified and fair, with particular aptitude for investigations investigations, defines average about 400 cases per year" and "standsfor the commitment, zeal, diligence, that characterize his work". For these and other flattering reviews in Borsellino was awarded appointment as magistrate of appeal with deliberation on March 5, 1980, by the High Council of the judiciary. Even in later times continues to perform its functions in the Office of education of the Court, giving further proof of its exceptional quality, bright, magistrate and, especially, an investigating judge. A pool that includes four magistrates.
Falcone, Borsellino and Barrile working one side by side, under the guidance of Rocco Chinnici. It is in young people the strength you can trust to change the mindset of people and judges know this. Want to shake consciences and feel around him the esteem of the people. Both Giovanni Falcone's Paolo Borsellino have always tried people. Borsellino begins to promote and participate in debates in schools, speaks to young people in youth festivals of square, round tables to explain and to defeat once and for all the mafia culture. Until the end of his life, over time that the Purse remains after work, will try to meet young people, to communicate these new feelings and make them protagonists of the fight against the mafia. It calls for the promotion of the investigating judges pool, coordinated and in permanent contact, the strengthening of the judicial police, the establishment of new rules for the selection of lay judges and bank checks to tracking down Mafia capital. Prosecutors claim pool State intervention because they realize that their work alone is not enough. Lynn writes a letter to the President of the Court of Palermo to solicit a commendation in respect of Paolo Borsellino and Giovanni Falcone, useful for any future management positions. The praise prompted will not arrive. Then the drama. The August 4, 1983 judge Rocco Chinnici was killed with a car bomb. Borsellino is destroyed: after Basile also Chinnici is snatched from life. The leader of the pool, the point of reference, fails. To replace Chinnici arrives in Palermo judge Calvert and increasingly close-knit pooling continues in the unending job reaching the initial results. In 1984 was arrested Vito Ciancimino and repents Tommaso Buscetta: Borsellino stresses the key role of repentant at any time in the investigation and preparation processes. Begins preparing the Maxi trial and is killed Commissioner Beppe Montana. More blood, to stop the most important people in the investigation about the mafia and the list of the dead is expected to rise. The weather is terrible: Falcone and Borsellino are immediately transferred to Asinara finally memories, prepare the acts without taking additional risks. At the beginning of the Maxi trial public opinion begins to criticize the magistrates, stocks and the role you are built. Once the first maxi-trial against monumental investigation criminal organisation called "Cosa Nostra" together with his colleague Giovanni Falcone, along with Dr. Leonardo Guarnotta and Dr. Giuseppe Di Lello-Filinoli, Paolo Borsellino asks for transfer to the public prosecutor at the Court of Marsala to serve as State's attorney. The MSM, with an historic decision and not without its contentious aftermath welcomes its instance on the basis of only professional merits and experience gained from Paolo Borsellino denying absolute validity for the first time to the criterion of length of service.
Banks lives in a flat in the carabinieri barracks to save the men of the escort. To the rescue comes Diego Cavaliero, magistrate of first appointment, they work hard and with passion. Borsellino is an example for the young Knight. Fears that the end of the Maxi trial Dim attention to the fight against the mafia, that the climate fools and you will come back to normal and for this Purse search the presence of the State, encourages civil society to continue the mobilizations to keep awake the attention on the mafia and restrain who think you can slowly return to normal. The climate begins to change: the United Front that had led to great victories of the judiciary and that he had seen the public approach to the men on the front lines and huddle around them, begins to give. In 1987 Calvert is forced to leave the leadership of pool due to health reasons. All await the appointment of Giovanni Falcone in Palermo instead of Calvert, even Borsellino is optimistic. The MSM is not of the same opinion and spreads terror to destroy the pool. Borsellino takes the field and starts a real political struggle: speak anywhere and talks about what's happening to the Prosecutor of Palermo; in newspapers, on television, in conferences, continues to sound the alarm. Because of his statements Borsellino risks disciplinary action. Only the President of the Republic Francesco Cossiga intervenes in his support asking to investigate statements by the magistrate to ascertain what's going on in Palermo's courthouse. On 31 July the CSM convenes Borsellino renewing accusations and its concerns. On 14 September the CSM to pronounce: Mahesh Mahesh, for seniority, to take the place that everyone was waiting for Giovanni Falcone. Paolo Borsellino is rehabilitated, back to Marsala and resumed work. New judges arrive to help him out, young and sometimes before nomination. His attitude, his charisma and his engagement at the forefront is contagiaso; He is assisted by with the same fervor and with the same courage in the investigation of facts of mafia. The repentant begin to speak: are investigating connections between the mafia and politics. Paolo Borsellino is convinced that to defeat the mafia the repentant have a fundamental role. It is however convinced that judges should be careful, check and double check each statement, seek feedback and intervene only when every fact is proved. The work is long and complicated, but the results will not be long in coming. By this time the attacks on Banks grow strong and relentless.
Rumors about Falcone and Borsellino are now daily; We talk about nominations to the room or the Office of Mayor. The two magistrates deny everything. Meanwhile, the debate begins on the establishment of Superprocura and who ask to head the new body. Fagan, meanwhile, goes to Rome as Director of Criminal Affairs and pushes for the establishment of the Superprocura. You feel the need to involve the highest offices of State in the fight against the mafia. The judiciary alone cannot do it, with Falcone in Rome has a leverage: Borsellino decides to return to Palermo, follow the substitute Ingroia and Marshal channel. Completed the requirements to be declared fit at the upper managerial-is investigating that judgmental-while being applied to the Prosecutor's Office of Marsala Paolo Borsellino asks and gets to be transferred to the Prosecutor's Office in Palermo with Prosecutor Added. Thanks to its undisputed investigative skills, once settled at the Prosecutor's Office in Palermo at the end of 1991, is delegated to the coordination of the activities of the substitutes that are part of the Antimafia district Directorate. The magistrates, with the arrival of Borsellino found new confidence. To Borsellino Palermo mafia investigations are removed by the Prosecutor Gamboa, and assigns those of Agrigento and Trapani. Starts to work with the commitment and dedication of all time. New repented, new revelations confirm the link between the mafia and politics, resuming the attacks to the magistrate and the discomfort occasionally occurs. In Rome is finally established the superprocura and opens nominations; Falcone is number one but, once again, he knows that won't be easy. Borsellino sustains the cudgels although disagrees on his departure from Palermo. Its commitment increases when it announced the candidacy of Cordova. Borsellino come out, speak, State, moves: is again at the forefront. The two magistrates are fighting alongside each other, fear that the superprocura can become a dangerous weapon if magistrates who are not familiar with the Sicilian mafia.
Giovanni Falcone in May 1992 reaches the numbers needed to win the election as Falcone's move. Borsellino and Falcone Exult, but the next day in the notorious as the "massacre of Capaci" Giovanni Falcone was killed along with his wife. Paolo Borsellino suffers a lot, the bond he has with Falcone is special. Early investigations in the pool, to the evenings together, to the beats to defuse, to fight harder moments when he seemed "untouchables", forced the Asinara period up to posting to Rome. A special life, that of two friends-magistrates, full of passion and love for their land. Two different characters, complement each other, one a little more rational the other more passionate, both with a charisma, fortitude and a spirit of self-denial. A Purse is offered to take the place of Falcone in candidacy for superprocura, but he refuses. Stay in Palermo, in the prosecution of poisons, to continue the fight against the mafia, becoming increasingly aware that something broke and that his time is near. Want to collaborate on investigations into the bombings capable of competence of prosecutors in Caltanissetta. Investigations are continuing, the repentant increase and the judge tries to hear as much as possible. Here comes the time of regretted Messina and Dumb, now Cosa Nostra begins to have known form. Often the repentant have asked to speak to Falcone or Borsellino because they knew they could trust, because they knew the moral qualities and investigative insight. Continues to struggle to get the proxy to listen turncoat Mutolo. Insists and eventually on July 19, 1992 at 7 in the morning by telephone and will finally tells him that Duncan delegation and will listen to Mutolo. The same day Purse goes to Villagrazia to relax. Relaxing, boating with one of the few remaining friends. After lunch back to Palermo to accompany the mother to the doctor: the explosion of a car bomb beneath the House via d'amelio snatches life to judge Paolo Borsellino and the men of his escort. It's the July 19, 1992. With judge killed the officers Agostino Catalano, Vincenzo Li Muli, Walter Cosina, Emanuela Loi, Claudio Traina and first woman police officer to be killed in a mafia attack.
Article contributed by the team of collaborators.