#309 martyrs

Two years after a devastating earthquake destroyed the city of L'Aquila and Onna, rubble still lines the street.  We were in the courtroom in L'Aquila today when six seismic scientists and one civil protection authority began their trial for manslaughter for not doing a better job warning citizens. The courtroom was filled with members of the “309 Martyrs” support group who want these scientists to be held accountable. Six days before the 2009 disaster, these seven authorities on earthquakes were asked to evaluate L'Aquila’s extraordinary seismic activity – 400 events in all in just a few months – to advise the citizens of L'Aquila if they should evacuate or stay put.  The scientists told them to stay put.  Six days later their town and lives were destroyed.  We did this storyon the day of the earthquake in 2009. We will be following this trial which reconvenes October 1.