Convictions of scientists overturned in L'Aquila, Italy, earthquake trial

L'AQUILA, Italy, Nov. 10 (UPI) -- An Italian appeals court on Monday overturned the manslaughter convictions of six scientists and one official who said an earthquake wasn't likely near L'Aquila, six days before a temblor devastated the city.

The seven men, all members of the National Commission for the Forecast and Prevention of Major Risks, were convicted of manslaughter in October 2012, and were sentenced to six years in prison. They were also ordered to pay more than $11 million in damages to the survivors of the disaster.

The men were accused of making falsely reassuring statements about the potential for a strong earthquake after a series of tremors were felt in the area.

A 6.3-magnitude earthquake shook the city April 6, 2012, killing 309 people and displacing 65,000 others. The prosecution said the scientists' reassurances resulted in 29 people staying indoors when they first felt the tremors of the larger earthquake instead of going outside like they did during the previous, smaller tremors. Those 29 people died.

Family members of the victims, upon hearing of the acquittal of the seven men, cried out "shame" in the courtroom.

The panel of judges upheld a conviction and two-year sentence for one of the men, Bernardo de Bernardinis, on a separate but related charge.