Italian judge Gennaro Tridico, who presided over the five-man panel that on Wednesday (February 10, 1999) overturned
the conviction of a 45-year-old driving instructor. The instructor had been sentenced to two years and eight months in
prison for raping an 18-year-old student in 1992.  

In his ruling Justice Tridico said: "It is common knowledge that it's nearly impossible to even partially remove jeans
from a person without their cooperation, since this operation is already very difficult for the wearer."

The appeals court sent the case back for retrial, but the victim, now 24 and married, was quoted today in the daily La
Stampa as saying she didn't think she could go through another trial.  "I can't believe that this happened. I will
never believe in justice again," the woman said. 

Although his ruling sparked a firestorm of criticism across Italy, Justice Tridico was unrepentent.  "We have complete
respect for women." said the judge.  He added: "We are sensitive, very sensitive to the sexual problems that afflict 
women in society.  I stand by my actions and am ready to repeat them."