Moroccan-Italian Man Confesses to Shocking Murder in Turin, Cites Victim’s Happiness as Motive

Saïd Mechaquat, a 27-year-old Moroccan, holder of Italian nationality, had gone to the Turin police station on March 31, 2019 to confess his crime. He had justified his crime by the fact that the victim was happy.

The incident dates back to February 23 of the same year, when Leo Stefano, who was crossing a street in downtown Turin listening to music, had been attacked by an unknown assailant who had stabbed him fatally in the neck before fleeing.

This case had created a feeling of insecurity and terror among the inhabitants and visitors of Turin, who feared the presence of a serial killer in the city.

According to the site Il primato nazionale, the confessions of the defendant, broadcast in a 139-minute video, reflect the monstrosity of the crime committed and confirm the absurdity of the criminal’s motive who, according to his statements, had wanted to take the life of a young man full of life.

He declared: "I killed him because I wanted to kill someone in Turin. I killed the victim because he seemed happy with his headphones. I struck him in the neck instead of the chest so that he would have no chance of surviving".