American Tourist in Rome Convicted of Officer's Murder Moved to House Arrest

Gabriel Christian Natale-Hjorth, an American tourist convicted of murdering Italian police officer Mario Cerciello Rega, has been moved to house arrest. The 2019 murder, involving Natale-Hjorth and his friend, originally led to life sentences, which have since been reduced. The decision left the victim's widow shocked.

Gabriel Christian Natale-Hjorth, an American tourist convicted over the murder of an Italian police officer in 2019, has been moved to house arrest, a move that left the victim's widow 'totally shocked,' her lawyer stated on Monday.

Originally sentenced to life for the murder of Mario Cerciello Rega, Natale-Hjorth and his friend Finnegan Lee Elder had their sentences repeatedly reduced. An appeals court recently ruled that Natale-Hjorth should serve an 11-year, four-month term, while Elder remains in prison with a 15-year, 2-month term.

Despite not handling the murder weapon, Natale-Hjorth was involved in the altercation during which Elder stabbed Cerciello Rega. Judges granted house arrest at his grandmother's house near Rome at his attorneys' request; the decision's reasoning remains undisclosed. Prosecutors may appeal this verdict, as reported by judicial sources.

(With inputs from agencies.)