EP. 152: ITALY - 7 Year Old MURDERED By Italian Mafia: The Nicholas Green Story
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Warning. The following podcast is not suitable for all audiences. We go into great detail with every case that we cover and do our best to bring viewers even deeper into the stories by utilizing disturbing audio and sound effects. Trigger warnings from the stories we cover may include violence, rape, murder, and offenses against children. This podcast is not for everyone. You have been warned.

In our second episode of our new series called "Murdered Americans," we are going to tell you the story of Nicholas Green. Every year, 65-year-old Reg Green would embark on a European vacation with his family.

Reg was originally from the UK, but after immigrating to the United States, he founded the mutual fund New Service, which he would edit right from his home in Bodega Bay, California. Reg was a hard worker, so that's why he and his family always looked forward to their annual vacation.

About a week before they left, they celebrated their son Nicholas's seventh birthday with a Robin Hood themed party, a tribute to his favorite storybook hero. And then in September of 1994,

the family would embark on their longest holiday yet with Reginald, his 33-year-old wife Maggie, and their two young children, Nicholas and Eleanor. But little did they know, this family trip would be their final one as tragedy awaited them in Italy and an unforeseen act of violence would cut young Nicholas's life short.

So this is his story. I'm Courtney Browen. And I'm Colin Browen. And you're listening to our new series called Murdered Americans.

on september 16 1994 the green family boarded a plane in california for an epic four-week vacation their plan was to blend the rugged beauty of the swiss alps with southern italy's rich culture and history starting in switzerland high in the alps amidst early snows they enjoyed a relaxing start to their trip then on september 27th their journey to italy began with the night train from geneva to rome transitioning them into the next phase of their adventure

Over the next day, the family traveled throughout, starting in Rome, then driving to Pompeii, and finally, Positano, where they stayed in a cliffside hotel overlooking the Mediterranean. So far, it had been a beautiful trip. That night, they all enjoyed a seaside dinner with Reg, Maggie, and four-year-old Eleanor ordering fresh seafood and fruit.

but Nicholas preferred a more simple meal of plain spaghetti with parmesan. Nicholas was a notoriously picky eater and stuck to his basics: bread and butter, vanilla ice cream, carrots, and of course, spaghetti with parmesan cheese.

On the morning of September 29th, the final day of Nicholas's life, the family indulged in a beautiful day of swimming in the Amalfi Coast's clear blue waters. It had been the perfect day. After swimming, the family packed up their rental car and drove to the city of Pestum.

And while there, Maggie and her son Nicholas had a very special moment together when they encountered four white doves. In Greek mythology, doves were messengers from the divine. And when Maggie saw two flying away from the nest, it stirred up thoughts about her children growing up and one day leaving the nest as well. It's a cycle of life that every parent goes through. And she knew that day would come in a blink of an eye

So she took the opportunity to hug Nicholas tight. As she did, she thought about when he would one day leave for college, all grown up. But in her mind, she still had some time before that day came. However, little did she know that day was closer than anyone would have thought.

In the weeks leading up to their trip, Reg and Maggie debated whether to make a stop somewhere between Paestum and Palermo or to just continue directly to Palermo and Sicily, where they planned to spend the next 10 days. Opting for the latter, they chose to travel through the night. It allowed Nicholas and Eleanor to sleep during the long, 8-hour drive, which spared Reg and Maggie all of the issues with daytime travel.

The kids whining, their restlessness and impatience to just reach their destination and to be free from the car. In their minds, this was the best option. Their route was along the Salerno Reggio di Calabria Autostrada, the main highway that connected Northern Europe to Sicily. Now, something they had to consider was the dangers along their journey. Reg was aware of the Mafia's presence in Sicily, the risks of pickpockets in Naples,

and the possibility of more organized thefts targeting tourists. So before the trip, he actually consulted friends familiar with southern Italy, and they all advised him to exercise caution.

However, none of these warnings suggested the likelihood of violent, deadly assaults on innocent travelers. After leaving Paestum, the family took the time to repack their car, organize the backseat, and stuff clothes into pillowcases for Nicholas and Eleanor. As they drove, the scene was nothing short of ordinary: cars passing, traffic in busy areas, and hours and hours of empty roads in the quiet parts of town. Three hours into their drive, they had reached the city of Calabria, situated at the toe of Italy.

Nicholas and Eleanor were exhausted by the journey, so they laid their heads down on their makeshift pillows and quickly fell asleep. Along the drive, Reg and Maggie decided to stop at a rest area to briefly close their eyes and take a break.

But as soon as Reg parked the car, it became evident that this was not your ideal sleeping situation. The rest area was crowded with trucks and cars. One next to them was loudly playing its radio.

and other people were walking around loudly talking at the picnic tables. It was far too noisy and busy for the peaceful rest they needed. So Reg turned to his wife and said, we can't get any sleep here. Let's go on. I'm not that tired. And from there, they took off once again. As Reg resumed driving, Maggie closed her eyes and quickly fell asleep.

He drove carefully, trying his best to let his family rest. But after a few miles down the road, he spotted something in the rear view mirror. It was a car approaching from behind. Initially, there was nothing out of the ordinary, but as it drew closer for the first time, Reg experienced a flicker of worry.

In Italy, it's common for passing cars to pull out a significant distance behind and then pass quickly. However, this car was getting uncomfortably close. As it neared even more, Reg thought to himself, "There's something wrong here." But to his relief, the car quickly veered into the left lane. Reg let out a sigh of relief.

There was nothing to worry about after all. They're just passing. However, a split second later, instead of accelerating away, the car was now running parallel to his car. And he knew in that moment that something was wrong. Although Maggie was asleep, Reg said out loud, quote, something's happening. And instantly Maggie was alert.

And it was in that moment where they both heard loud angry voices erupt from the other car.

The deep and threatening voices shouted in Italian, and though Maggie and Reg couldn't understand their words, it was obvious they wanted them to stop. Maggie leaned forward, trying to get a better view of the individuals yelling from their car. Their faces were hidden behind black ski masks, making it impossible for her to discern any details. And at first, it was so dark, Maggie didn't even notice that one of them had a pistol. But then she saw it.

In the moments that followed, Reg's mind raced with thoughts about handling violent crime, the wisdom of not resisting, the idea that the attackers just wanted money, the importance of staying calm, and the hope that their threats were more of a bluff than filled with evil intent. - But the most overwhelming sensation was the sound of those threatening voices.

Reg believed deep down that once under their control, these people could do whatever they wanted, whether that be murder them, abduct Nicholas and Eleanor, or even assault his wife Maggie. From the corner of his eye, Reg noticed the hood of the other car next to theirs, and it was marked with either rust or dirt.

He could also tell that the car was much older than his. So maybe their car would be faster, and if he sped ahead, he could possibly escape the threat. Gripping the steering wheel tightly, ready for any move to force them off the road, Reg kept his focus ahead while he prepared himself for whatever might come. We can't stop, he told Maggie.

And Maggie didn't question his decision. She trusted her husband's judgment. So from there, Reg pressed down on the accelerator. But as the car began to pick up speed, the hostile voices erupted once more. Reg watched the speedometer needle climb, hoping with everything in him, they could outpace their car. But then, any hope Reg had was shattered.

when an explosion obliterated the side window and the back seat. Finding out their attackers had guns changed everything, but they had just a few seconds to think about what to do next. For a brief moment, the possibility of stopping crossed Reg's mind, but he quickly dismissed it.

These men were shooting at their car. They were clearly reckless criminals who wouldn't be stopped by anything. So he knew that their only chance was to outrun them.

By this point, they were moving swiftly, their rental car still gaining speed. Then there was another loud bang. Reg's driver's side window burst. Shards of glass sprayed over him, cutting his arm as he gripped the steering wheel tightly. The bullet had missed both him and Maggie by mere inches. It was clear then, these shots were not just warnings or threats to get them to stop. They were trying to kill them. Despite the danger, they started to pull ahead, creating distance between themselves and the armed criminals.

Looking in his rearview mirror, Reg started to feel a sense of relief as he watched their attacker's car lights get smaller and smaller, falling further behind. "They've dropped back," he said, feeling somewhat safe for now. But he also knew that danger could come back at any time, so he kept speeding down the road. And now that they finally had some time to gather themselves, Maggie turned to check on the children, who, remarkably, seemed undisturbed by the commotion.

In fact, they were still sleeping, which was the best-case scenario. Reg, meanwhile, remained vigilant, his foot pressed firmly against the accelerator. They continued to speed through the darkness, once again alone on the road. Throughout the ordeal, Reg had not once cast his eyes towards their attackers. His focus was entirely on exacting every bit of speed from their car. His hands had remained steady on the wheel. Fear had gripped him, of course, but all he was worried about was getting his family to safety.

Neither Reg nor Maggie felt anger, but rather shock. Maggie, who had always had a good sense of humor, even said, quote, "'Now I suppose the two insurance companies will be arguing for the next six months whether this car is damaged or stolen.'" As soon as she said this, their younger daughter, Eleanor, stirred awake in the backseat.

and she was complaining about how cold it was. The wind was now blowing through the shattered window, chilling the inside of their car. Maggie quickly wrapped some clothes around her so she could get warm, and as she did, she cast another glance at Nicholas, who was still fast asleep.

From there, the family pressed on in search of a gas station, a haven of bright lights, people, and more importantly, a telephone so they could call the police. However, fate intervened before they could find one. Soon enough, the Greens stumbled upon a serious accident and the scene was already swarming with police and ambulances. So Reg decided to stop the car and fill them in on what happened.

After approaching a young police officer, Reg opened the back seat to show them that their car window had been shot out as they were driving. And he told them all about the men who drove up beside them, ordering them to stop. But as Reg is explaining this, the overhead light in the car shined down on his son, Nicholas. He wasn't moving. At first glance, it looked like he was fast asleep.

But now that they could see him better, they noticed that his tongue was slightly sticking out of his mouth and there were traces of vomit on his chin. Soon enough, Maggie realized that her son was not asleep and she let out a scream that no one on scene would ever be able to forget. The officer quickly glanced inside the car.

And once he realized what was happening, he called for backup. The Green's daughter, Eleanor, was scared and confused. And she kept asking what was happening. And in a quiet, caring moment amongst the chaos, Maggie wrapped her in a tight hug and softly explained, quote, Nicholas has been shot. We're going to get him to a hospital immediately.

When the ambulance crew got there, they didn't ask any questions. They knew that they just needed to care for the young boy. Quickly, Reg grabbed the small piece of sheepskin Nicholas loved and had slept with almost every night of his life. "He won't feel comfortable if he wakes up and doesn't find this," he explained to one of the paramedics. They didn't speak the same language, but the paramedics seemed to know exactly what he was saying. Then he carefully placed it beside Nicholas's pale face.

As the ambulance sped away, the officers on scene informed the Greens that their car was now a crime scene and it would need to stay there. But luckily for them, a kind-hearted driver pulled over and offered to take them to the hospital. So they quickly climbed into the man's vehicle, panic-struck and anxious.

From there, they drove through dark, winding roads for about 10 miles, contemplating everything that had just happened. The driver didn't speak much English, but he tried his best to alleviate their fears, repeating over and over, "It's alright, you'll see." In search of a more tangible form of solace, he even extended his own rosary to them, saying, "You aren't Catholic, I know, but this will help."

The driver's name was Giuseppe Iapolo, but to Maggie, he epitomized the Good Samaritan, a title they have affectionately referred to him as ever since. In the back seat of the car, seated closely together, Maggie took it upon herself to explain it to Eleanor in the simplest terms possible. Eleanor, with a voice barely above a whisper, asked if Nicholas would be okay. It was the question everyone was asking, but no one wanted to say it out loud.

And sadly, Maggie couldn't give her daughter an answer. All she could do was tell Eleanor that the doctors would do everything in their power to help her brother. And for the rest of that car ride, Reg and Maggie did their best to hold it together for the sake of their daughter. Eventually, they arrived at the parking lot of a small hospital

where all of the floodlights lit up the night sky. When they stepped out of the car, it seemed as if the entire hospital's medical team was standing around the back of the ambulance. Reg peered inside, praying it was a different patient. By the look on everyone's face, he could tell that whoever was inside of that ambulance was in rough shape. And when he got a glimpse, it was indeed his son. Nicholas was lying there,

His face had been cleaned off and again, it looked like he had just drifted off to sleep. The head doctor then approached the Greens and said that due to the severity of Nicholas's injuries, he needed to be transferred to a larger medical facility in Sicily where he could receive the necessary care.

From there, Maggie, Reg, and Eleanor were escorted to a police station so the authorities could get to the bottom of exactly what happened that night. But even the most tough of officers couldn't help but feel the weight of the unbearable tragedy this family was going through. By the time the Calabrian police chief took their statements, it was past 11 p.m.,

a professor from the local college had been called in to assist with translating. And for what felt like an eternity, the Greens recalled every detail that could potentially be of use. But the process was painstakingly slow. Each detail needed to be translated, read back to them, and then signed off on, all the while knowing that with each passing moment, Nicholas was being transported further away from them. But the Greens were still holding onto hope. Torn

Towards the end of the night, the officers brought them water, a half loaf of bread, and some homemade marmalade, although it was nearly impossible for them to eat without knowing the status of their son.

After giving their statements, the Greens were escorted by the police to a ferry that would take them to Sicily. And along the way, Maggie held Eleanor close while Reg attempted to rest on a hard bench. There were very few words spoken along the way because all they could think about was Nicholas.

Their thoughts shifted from dreadful to hopeful. Like, why did they have to take him to a bigger hospital? That can't be good, right? But children are resilient. There are so many kids out there that have survived horrible tragedies.

Maggie even thought to herself that children Nicholas's age have been known to regenerate new fingers after an injury. So even in the face of severe harm, recovery was possible. Maybe Nicholas would be one of those survivor stories. Reg and Maggie did what they could to cling to their optimism, but they couldn't help but think about that sinking feeling in the back of their minds that they might never see their son alive again.

But soon enough, their thoughts were interrupted when the ferry docked and the police escorted them off. The authorities had already set up a hotel room for the family near the hospital as they waited for news of their son. But as they sat around, Reg felt an overwhelming sense of alienation. The desire to return home was all-consuming. Maggie and Reg yearned to bring Nicholas back home with them, no matter what the outcome was. They were ready to go back to California and nurse their son back to health.

Hours later, the Greens were told to go to the hospital, but upon their arrival, there was a tangible energy in the air, and it wasn't a good one. Reg, Maggie, and Eleanor were quickly taken into a stark room where dozens of medical professionals stood in silence, awaiting them. Maggie was then offered a chair, something that immediately made her feel sick to her stomach. They want me to sit down.

"That can't be good," she thought. Eleanor was both exhausted and confused, but she quickly settled onto her mother's lap. Then suddenly the chief surgeon introduced himself, and without pause he delivered the news. The bullet had found its way to the stem of Nicholas's brain, a critical area from which all main functions are governed.

The bullet's depth made surgical removal of the bullet impossible. But surprisingly, Nicholas was still alive and they were working to get him stabilized.

However, it was still unclear whether or not he would live. But based on the way the doctors were speaking, their small bit of hope had disappeared. The medical team told them to rest, stay strong, and come back the next day for an update. But that night, their family couldn't even think about getting rest. How could they? I will make this tangent really quick, but my heart felt for their family so deeply when researching this.

Because back in 2016, my dad had a traumatic brain injury and he ended up in a coma for weeks. Now luckily he did make a recovery but I will never forget being brought into that room where the doctors tell you they aren't sure if your loved one will survive. And the not knowing is the worst part of it all. You can't eat, you can't sleep, and more than anything you just want to be by their side.

Sadly for the Greens, they hadn't been able to see Nicholas since the accident happened. But luckily, the following morning, they would finally get to lay eyes on their son. When they walked up to the hospital room, the sight of Nicholas surrounded by tubes and monitors was jarring. And the staff told them that Nicholas's condition remained unchanged. There had been no improvements, but thankfully no deterioration either.

The interpreter, trying to offer solace, mentioned the possibility of miracles, but he also told the family that they were not permitted to enter his room. Nicholas needed rest, they said. While the Greens were focused on their son's recovery, the police in Italy were still trying to find out exactly what had happened, while also supporting their family in any way they could. The Italian police often faced criticism, but Reg and Maggie felt like they were very helpful.

They even had a police escort for the Greens so that they wouldn't have to take the bus to and from the hospital. The hospital staff was also efficient in getting all of Nicholas' paperwork, including his medical history, which, until this tragic event, was non-existent. He had been in perfect health. The Greens also ran into a problem they didn't expect: journalists.

After word got out about the child shot on the desolate roads of southern Italy, it was a big story. The Greens were even approached by reporters outside of their hotel. Of course, they offered their condolences, while also wanting information on what happened, marking the beginning of a public interest that would grow in days to come.

The following day, the Greens would make their way back to the hospital. And as soon as they walked through the doors, they were met with devastating news. Nicholas's condition had deteriorated overnight. And although his physical strength remained intact, his brain scans were not promising.

Reg and Maggie took turns sitting by his bedside, each spending a few minutes with him while the other looked after Eleanor. Hours later, the chief neurologist sadly informed them that Nicholas showed no signs of brain activity. The doctor explained that they would do another test to confirm, but it didn't look good.

Facing this harsh truth, Reg and Maggie looked for any bit of hope or clearer understanding, but there was absolutely no hope left. In the sunny room, Reg and Maggie sat quietly together, holding hands for comfort.

And soon enough, the test results came in confirming the horrible news they had already heard before. Nicholas showed no signs of brain activity. He was gone. Their seven-year-old son had been murdered. Maggie and Reg were felt with a deep feeling of sadness knowing they would never feel true happiness ever again. And they found it hard to come to terms with this new reality.

But it was then, as they sat there in their grief, when Maggie proposed the idea of organ donation and Reg agreed without hesitation. From here, they told the doctors about their choice and they started the process of getting everything lined up so that recipients could receive their son's organs.

To them, it was a clear and simple choice. They were also guided by the conviction that their son's spirit had already transcended from his physical body. The Nicholas they knew and loved wasn't here anymore, and they wanted to do something good out of this horrible situation.

But while the Green's lives were being turned upside down, the investigative team doubled down in their efforts to track down those responsible. Seasoned investigators from Rome arrived, deeply committed to uncovering the truth. They approached Reg and Maggie with a sense of urgency, imploring them to recall and share every possible detail from the night Nicholas was fatally shot.

The investigators held a firm belief that a critical piece of information, perhaps previously overlooked or deemed insignificant, might hold the key to solving the case. So, Reg and Maggie recounted the details once more, and the story was bizarre.

It's not every day you hear of an attack on a small car in the middle of the road. So investigators wanted to know if Reg was involved in any business matters that may have put him in harm's way. They knew that Reg was involved with editing a newsletter, so maybe he wrote a story on Italian affairs that was controversial.

but Reg said that he hadn't. The officers then questioned whether they told anyone about their travel plans. Maybe they stopped at a cafe and talked about having a lot of money or something. But again, Reg and Maggie said that wasn't the case. As the days passed, these inquiries became a recurring theme, with the investigators persistently questioning whether Reg had any ties to Italy that he might have overlooked, or if any aspect of their journey could have been known to others, suggesting a search for a rationale behind the violent shooting.

But there truly was no connection, and Reg was very aware of how unusual this was. He even asked the lead detective for his thoughts. The detective confidently told him he'd never seen anything like their case before. Having been a newspaper reporter, Reg knew that people sometimes give answers that aren't completely honest, either saying what they hope is true or what they think someone else wants to hear.

After the attack, Reg thought people might downplay the risks, especially when talking to a father dealing with such deep sadness. He doubted anyone would directly tell him he should have been more careful, but it didn't seem like they were getting anywhere, and Reg desperately wanted answers.

So he started taking matters into his own hands, asking everyone he could about how safe the highway was. He talked to many people, like police translators, Rome detectives on the case, ICU doctors, journalists, and even businessmen and salespeople he had met. All of them were shocked, finding it hard to believe such a violent event could happen on that specific stretch of road.

The police did confirm that the area was known for criminal activity. There were robberies at gas stations and occasional attacks on motorists. In the past, there had been trucks that had been hijacked, but it was unusual for the drivers to be harmed.

The police told Reg, quote, it's a lucrative business. Organized crime is cautious not to incite public outrage by engaging in unnecessary violence, end quote. But unsatisfied with the police's explanation, Reg sought out additional information. With the aid of interpreters, he diligently read every newspaper article he could find on the matter.

The media, with its keen sense for the extraordinary, had immediately recognized the uniqueness of the Green story. And it wasn't just local news outlets that had taken an interest. National papers had also featured their story on their front pages. But throughout his own mental struggle, Reg reflected back on the accident.

That night, he had faced a critical decision to stop and surrender to the gunman or continue driving. And he grappled for a long time on whether or not he made the right choice. About a week after the incident, the Greens were faced with another horrifying thought. After Nicholas donated his organs, it was now time to come home, back to their old life, except that wasn't their life anymore.

Coming home without Nicholas was one of the hardest things they ever had to do. A piece of their family was gone and things would never be the same. Nicholas's room was still there, frozen in time. He would never sleep in his bed again, never wear the clothes in his closet or play with the toys that scattered the ground. And his father Reg continued to grapple with all of the what-ifs.

Once home, he even started asking people whether or not he made the right choice. "Should I have stopped the car?" he asked. "Did I do the right thing?" Many of the reactions were mixed. Many found it hard to second guess his actions under the circumstances, often responding with, "How could you tell?" Yet when pushed for a definitive answer, the majority admitted that they would have acted in the same way.

Reg realized that people were probably trying to make him feel less guilty or bad about what happened. Now, he often thinks about that scary night and the choices he made to try to keep his family safe from a danger they never saw coming. The car mysteriously matching their speed instead of passing. The terrifying sound of aggressive voices and glass shattering. He wondered what would have happened if they had stopped. Maybe the attackers would have just robbed them and left.

A scary, but eventually manageable situation that they might have looked back on differently over time. Maybe even finding humor in the ordeal. Yet, the risk of facing violence was real. If they had stopped, they would have been completely vulnerable, at the mercy of their attackers. Whatever happened next would be up to the attackers, who could either spare them or, even worse, kill their whole family. The what-ifs here are just endless. There is also a horrifying thought that they might never find the people responsible.

After all, it had been dark and they didn't have a ton of information about the attackers. But to everyone's surprise,

After a relentless 34-day search, law enforcement finally apprehended the two individuals responsible: 27-year-old Michele Ianello and 22-year-old Francesco Messiano, both from the town of Vibo Valentina in Calabria. The duo were implicated as a part of the Andrangheta, an organized crime syndicate deeply rooted in the region where Nicholas' life was taken.

Notably, Michele Ianello was connected to the Mafia through his brother-in-law, Pasquale Petito, a known Mafia boss. Later, Michele would admit to being involved in four additional murders during his time with the Mafia.

The evidence against the men was damning. Not only did they own the same exact car used in the shooting and the same gun, but they also found gunshot residue on the door of the car. Even further, the Italian police wiretapped their phones and they got a confession. Through wiretaps and statements from cooperating witnesses, the investigation uncovered a tragic error.

Yanelo and Massiano were actually targeting a jeweler that night. They were told that the jeweler would be driving a Lancia car with Rome license plates, which was the exact description of Green's rental car. It's believed that the men saw the Greens when they were parked at that rest stop. In thinking it was their target, they started to pursue their vehicle. So as it turns out, the entire story was just a case of mistaken identity.

But despite the evidence against them, the men maintain their innocence. Now, Italy has a long history of organized crime and the Italian mafia is notorious for being relentlessly brutal, but

But targeting children is extremely rare. And again, when the men shot at the car, they didn't realize they were shooting at children. But the fact that an American child was murdered on the Italian mafia's watch was shocking to everyone. And it really gave the city of Calabria a bad reputation. "Our shame" was the headline in one of the Italian national newspapers.

One article was titled, "Italy cannot absolve itself." Another stated, "An absurd death has slapped us in the face with something no one wants to acknowledge. There is a no man's land run by bandits who decide the life and death of whoever passes through." For Reg and Maggie, there was an undeniable sense of relief that the suspects had been apprehended.

Yanelo and Masiano, described by Reg as terrorists, were individuals that he believed needed to be held accountable for their actions. And the police assured their family that they would not be able to escape justice.

When a journalist first inquired whether they intended to hire a lawyer to represent them, it dawned on Reg and Maggie how unfamiliar they were with Italian legal procedures. So, they eventually got advice from an interpreter, whose father was a lawyer, and the advice was concise and clear: if they wanted their son's killer to receive the maximum penalty, they should hire a lawyer. Otherwise, it might be best to leave the decision-making solely to the court. This guidance resonated with them, and surprisingly, they opted

not to hire counsel, a decision that sparked some bewilderment among the Italian media. Instead, they decided to trust in the integrity of the court's judgment. Their entire goal from the beginning was justice, not revenge, and over time, this perspective came to be broadly understood and accepted.

On one morning in February of 1996, Reg and Maggie got a surprising call from Italy telling them that the trial was about to start in just two weeks. They were taken aback by the short notice, especially since they hadn't received any messages earlier.

but they knew they had to be there. Throughout the investigation, they had kept their distance from the investigators. They didn't want to rush them into making an arrest or starting a trial too soon. They didn't ask about who was arrested, what evidence was found, or what the legal strategy would be. They believe that being patient and trusting the process would help ensure that the right people were caught and that justice would be served.

So soon enough, they were on their way to Catanzaro to watch the trial, which was held in a large old justice building. As witnesses, they were kept in a plain cold room for two days. This was to make sure they weren't influenced by anyone's testimony. And they had actually brought their daughter Eleanor with them, who is now six years old.

Throughout the trial, police officers looking after Reg, Maggie and Eleanor were exceptionally kind, buying them coffee, cakes and playing tic-tac-toe with Eleanor, letting her win. When it was finally time for Reg to testify, he walked into a large bare room with ornate vaulted ceilings.

The jury was made up of people ranging from their late 30s to early 60s. And he noted that they all looked trustworthy and wise. They looked like parents, Reg thought. But Reg's experience with the Italian court was far different than what he expected.

He thought it would be chaotic, but instead it was very disciplined and calm. The prosecutor Alfredo Layudonio and his team handled everything with great professionalism, making sure not to lead or hint at any answers they wanted. And they treated every question from the color of the car to the details of the incident with the same level of care.

During the trial, Reg saw that the jury paid close attention to everything happening, listening carefully to the lawyers and witnesses. They stayed focused, without getting distracted or restless, even though some sessions lasted up to four hours in a cold room. Next to the courtroom was a large, intimidating cage with thick bars, about 30 feet long and 12 feet tall. Inside was Francesco Messiano, and he was confined within the cage throughout the duration of the trial.

Reg looked around for Michele Ianello, but for quite some time he couldn't find him. Reg only saw Michele face to face when he testified. Michele, who admitted to killing four other people but not Nicholas, sat surrounded by Carabinieri, the special Italian police, as if they were protecting him from some unseen danger. Known as a small-time mafia member, Michele had chosen to work with the police, giving them information on other criminals to help solve open cases.

Reg was surprised when he heard his own name called out with the charges. He had almost forgotten the bullet had come so close to hitting him and Maggie through the car's window. But hearing his son's name, Nicholas William Green, it hit him all over again. This case was about his seven-year-old boy, who he would never see again. The prosecutor carefully went over the statements that Reg and Maggie had given to the police right after the incident.

In listening to their accounts being repeated, Reg felt validated. It proved that he and Maggie had remained calm and observant, even in the face of chaos and tragedy. And every time they recounted their story, it was consistent.

The cross-examination was difficult, with four defense attorneys closely examining Reg's story, trying to question its credibility. But despite this, the main points of his testimony stayed strong. After waiting in the witness room for a while, it was Maggie's turn to speak in court. And like Reg, her words matched exactly what she had told the police on the night Nicholas was taken from them.

After they testified, Reg and Maggie decided to leave Italy for a while while the rest of the trial took place. But soon after, they received a call from an Italian journalist asking how they felt about Yanello being declared a pentito by a special court.

Now, a pentito basically means that he gets to leave jail because he was helping the prosecution. And of course, he was being supervised by the police. But the thought of him getting to go home was unsettling to say the least.

It also should be noted that the trial was still ongoing, and if found guilty, he would still go to prison. But this Pentito program made it to where they could enjoy the comfort of their home. The entire program is very controversial, and Reg and Maggie were not happy about it. But when journalists asked them questions, they always replied with no comment.

In January of 1997, Reg returned to Italy to see the conclusion of the trial. The courtroom felt just as cold as it did 11 months before, and he recognized the jury, the defense lawyers, and the court clerk.

but he noticed the defendants looked very different this time at first reg thought michele was just another lawyer because he and messiano looked so different from before now well dressed and clean shaven they seemed like regular respectable young men you might casually talk to in passing but these weren't your average men they were stone cold killers

In the closing arguments, the prosecutor, Mauricio Sallustro, laid out the main facts clearly. Michele owned a car similar to the attacker's. The car, usually dirty, disappeared right after the attack and came back clean. There was gunpowder residue by the car's window.

The gun, which was rare, was said to be Michele's, and wiretaps caught some incriminating statements, including what sounded like a confession from Janelo. Sillustro spent four hours presenting the case without trying to sway emotions, focusing on the facts.

The defense challenged every point. The car's ID wasn't clear. Cleaning a car wasn't suspicious. The gunpowder might have been old. The pistol wasn't definitively connected to the crime. And the wiretaps were hard to understand due to strong Calabrian accents. But with that, the jury left for deliberation.

When they finally had their verdict, everyone anxiously filled the courtroom and you could feel the tension in the air. The defendants then rose to their feet and the judge read the verdict aloud. Both Yanelo and Messiano were found not guilty. After hearing this, one of Messiano's lawyers gave him a hug

showing her happiness. But that was about all the reaction there was in the courtroom that day. No one cheered, no one shouted, no one made any big celebratory moves. And that's because most of the people were incredibly disappointed. After the jury left, reporters quickly surrounded Reg, asking how he felt. He did his best to answer, saying that the trial was fair, but he didn't say whether or not he thought the men were guilty.

As the reporters left, Reg saw Massiano's father close by. He was in tears. And in that moment, he offered him a handshake. Moved by a shared sense of humanity, Reg decided to shake his hand. And then, Massiano came over.

He told Reg that he was sorry for what happened, but he was insistent that he did not kill his son. Reg accepted his sympathy, but he did not comment on his claim of innocence. And shockingly, the two even shook hands right then and there. But walking away that day felt extremely empty, as there was still no justice for Nicholas Green.

But interestingly, after the trial ended, the case wasn't closed. The prosecution chose to appeal the decision, which is allowed in Italian law. This started a new phase of the case, now led by prosecutor Salvatore Morone.

Italy's legal framework supports a broad appeals process, which allows parties to re-examine the case. And the journey can go all the way up to the Supreme Court of Cassation, Corte Suprema de Cassation, which has the authority to uphold or reverse verdicts. Also, Italy's approach to double jeopardy is flexible, permitting some cases to be reopened or retried through the appeals process.

which isn't the case here in America. Once you're found not guilty, Double Jeopardy protects you from being prosecuted for that crime ever again. But not in Italy.

Now over a year later in the summer of 1998, the Greens got a phone call informing them that the appeals court in Italy had found Yanello and Messiano guilty of the murder of their son, Nicholas. A new jury had simply re-examined the existing evidence, the car, the gun, the wiretaps, and after looking through everything, contrary to the earlier verdict,

The case against the two men was convincing beyond a reasonable doubt. The court of appeals determined that Yanelo was the one who shot the pistol that killed Nicholas and they sentenced him to life. His accomplice, Messiano, received a 20-year sentence.

And sadly, the legal process was not over. The men could still appeal the verdict to the Italian Supreme Court. But to Reg's surprise, a few weeks after the appeals court decision, they received a letter from Francesco Messiano. In it,

he strongly claimed he was innocent and felt the court just wanted someone to blame. Now, the letter took a long time to reach Reg and Maggie. And by the time it did, Reg found out that Messiano's letter, which was supposed to be private, had been published in the Gazeta del Sud newspaper for everyone to see.

Reg also found out from his Italian friend that during the appeals hearing, a defense lawyer hinted that Reg's handshake with Messiano might suggest Reg believed they were innocent. So, Reg decided to write him back, saying: "Although you wrote your letter in early June, Maggie and I received it only at the end of last week. We are sending this reply by fax, so you will have it as soon as possible."

The incident on the Salerno Reggio Autostrada has brought grief to many people. We think we understand how your family feels. The legal process must go on, however. It's the only way any of us can hope for justice. I've been told that one of your attorneys said that, when I comforted your father at the end of the first trial and shook your hand, it showed I believed you and Mr. Yanella were not guilty.

That is not the case. They were simply gestures of common humanity. I did not express any opinion about your guilt or innocence. These are matters for the courts to decide by weighing the evidence objectively, not by the emotions of either the victims or the accused. On your side, you have a team of highly skilled attorneys. I'm sure they will give you all the help they possibly can.

Both Messiano and Ionello continued to appeal their verdicts. But in 1999, Italy Supreme Court confirmed and upheld their convictions and sentences. And only then were Reg and Maggie able to start their grieving process. Throughout the entire story, all they wanted was justice.

and for those who did terrible things to be held accountable. Reg wasn't sure it was possible because even though Yanelo and Messiano were locked up, it didn't bring their son back. But from there, he and his family were forced to move on with life the best they could.

In 2018, after serving his sentence, Messiano was released from prison and then moved to the southern town of Mileto, Italy. Locals there nicknamed him "The Madman" due to his impulsive nature. Shortly after his arrival, conflicts arose in the village.

Reports to the local police stated that he allowed his livestock to graze on other families' property, damaging their crops. When the family voiced their concerns, Messiano reacted with fury. With supportive crime boss Pasquale Petito behind him, he refused to offer any apologies.

"Tell your husband he needs to leave that land or I will kill him," he warned his neighbor. "There are many of us. You don't want to go against us." The situation intensified when Messiano's elderly father was fatally shot outside of his residence. Two months following this tragic event, a 30-year-old son from the rival family was murdered in his car outside a cafe in Mileto. Despite the suspicions and turmoil, Francesco Messiano was ultimately cleared of any involvement in the killing. In 2005, Yanello,

Michele, after turning state's evidence against fellow mafia members, secured house arrest. Despite his life sentence, he now resides in northern Italy with his wife and two children. Michele has been discreetly seeking a full pardon from Italy's president, a request that has sparked significant public backlash. "Michele has consistently denied his guilt but the evidence was very strong against him and Francesco Messiano," Reg told the Daily Beast in 2017.

We have never wanted revenge, only justice, and we accepted without protest their acquittal at the first trial. Victims make very bad judges, as you know, so my opinion about his potential pardon is too subjective to be of value.

Michele, who confessed to the contract killings of four individuals on behalf of the Calabria and Drangheta crime syndicate, would gain the freedom to travel beyond his residence and even leave Italy should he receive a pardon. People will have to decide for themselves if a man who was sentenced to life imprisonment and admits to a series of other killings but who has lived outside prison for years has paid the price for taking the life of a child, Reg said.

But we wanted to end this story talking about the good that came from Nicholas Green's life. Despite all of the tragedy surrounding his death, his family found immense comfort in knowing that Nicholas saved lives.

After he was found to be brain dead, his heart went to a Roman boy named Andrea Mangiardo, who had spent half of his life in a hospital. Sadly, Andrea actually died in 2017, but thanks to Nicholas, he got an extra 23 years of life.

Nicholas's liver went to Maria Pia Pedaglia, a 19-year-old girl from Sicily who was near death in her final coma when Nicholas gave her his organ. Her doctor would later tell the Green family, "We had given up on her. You really did save her life." Four years later, Maria gave birth to a son who she named Nicholas.

As for his kidneys, one of them went to a 14-year-old girl named Anna Maria DeSigli, and the other went to a 10-year-old named Tino Mata, who had spent a lot of his life on dialysis machines. Before the transplant, Tino's doctors told him, quote, "'Think of something nice,' as they wheeled him into the operating room. Tino responded, "'I am. I'm thinking of Nicholas.'"

Nicholas's pancreas cells went to a woman named Silvia Chiempi from Rome, whose lifelong battle with diabetes had taken over her health and happiness.

And then finally his corneas were for two Sicilians, Domenica Galletta, who had been waiting five years for a transplant and had never been able to see her child's face clearly. And then the other went to Francisco Mondello, a rugby player and a father of a young active family whose world had gradually gotten darker from blindness.

Sometime after Nicholas's organs were donated, Reg and Maggie got to meet the recipients. Reg would later tell BBC, quote, "When the doors opened and the six walked in, the effect was overwhelming. Some were smiling, some were tearful,

Others were bashful, but they were all alive. Most of these people had been on the point of death, and that's when it hit you for the first time just how big a thing this was. There was also a sense of how the parents and grandparents would have been devastated. You got the feeling that there were many more people involved whose lives would have been much poorer if we hadn't saved them."

Reg and Maggie initially viewed the decision to donate Nicholas's organs as a personal act of healing, a way to garner positivity from such a devastating loss. They hoped to quietly honor their son's memory by contributing to the greater good. But they were completely unaware of the profound ripple effect it would have.

At the time of Nicholas's death, Italy had the second lowest organ donation rate in all of Western Europe. In 1993, a year before his death, only 6.2 Italians donated their organs per 1 million people. Organ donation in Italy was so rare that half of the children with heart conditions died while waiting for a transplant.

And this was largely in part to cultural hesitations and lack of public awareness.

But after Nicholas' story hit the media, Italians were blown away that an American family, whose son was killed by Italians, would donate his organs to save multiple Italian lives. Nicholas' story changed a lot of people's perspective on the issue, so much so, following his death, there was this huge surge in organ donations.

and everyone would call it the Nicholas effect. Within 10 years of his death, the organ donation rate has tripled, an increase Italy has never seen before. His legacy also ignited legislation reforms and effectiveness of the organ donation system. These changes have saved countless lives and they've provided many families hope during their most challenging times.

Nicholas' legacy changed the hearts of many around Italy, and in his honor, several schools, streets, gardens, and squares have been named after him. And the Nicholas effect went beyond just Italy. As the world heard his story, it seemed to have a profound impact on organ donation as a whole.

To his parents, they will always remember Nicholas as a kind, smart and loving boy who was taken far too soon. And finding happiness is a lot harder now that Nicholas is gone. Reg would later tell the BBC: "There's a sadness that was never there before. I'm never completely happy anymore. Even when I'm at my happiest, I think, 'Wouldn't it be better if Nicholas was here?'"

"Nicholas was a kindly boy who always looked for the best in things, so, when you were with him, you always wanted to be your best. Nicholas had a calmness about it all and a forgiveness that made you want to be the same. I know that at seven years old, he probably wouldn't have been able to comprehend, but I know, as he grew up,

After Nicholas's death, Reg and Maggie would go on to have twins named Laura and Martin.

And growing up, they always made sure to remind them of their wonderful older brother that they never got to meet. But their whole family finds comfort in knowing that Nicholas's legacy will live on forever. In 1995, Reg and Maggie established the Nicholas Green Foundation to champion organ and tissue donation across the globe. Reg quickly became a vocal advocate, sharing their story through interviews across the planet.

now at the age of 95 rige's travel may be more limited but his commitment to the cause remains unwavering he spends his days responding to emails making phone calls and writing articles all through his website the nicholas effect with the hope of continuing to save and enhance lives through the power of organ donation on july 14 2018 in the quaint setting of bodega bay nicholas's sister eleanor greene got married

At the time, she was a 28-year-old high school history teacher in Los Angeles, and she exchanged vows with Matt Burgett, a professional in sound recording for film, TV, and commercials. The ceremony took place near the Children's Bell Tower, dedicated to the memory of Nicholas. She would later say, "Nicholas has been a beacon of inspiration worldwide, but for me, he has always been my big brother, and I wanted him to be a part of this significant day."

The bell tower, made by Bay Area artist Bruce Hasson and established in 1996, holds 140 bells, given by people from all over Italy. The main bell, made by the Marinelli Foundry in Italy, which also makes bells for the Vatican, was blessed by Pope John Paul II and has Nicholas' name and the names of the seven organ recipients engraved on it. But this story goes to show that even in the midst of loss,

humans have a way of coming together and creating something beautiful from a profound tragedy nicholas didn't just save the people who received his organs he helped save countless others who heard his story and decided to become organ donors as well

All right, everybody. Thank you for listening to this week's episode of Murder in America, the second episode of our Murdered American series. Wow. Courtney and I, like I said in last week's episode, are just so excited to be able to take on these cases from around the world. We truly have some incredible episodes handpicked by the both of us coming up soon.

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