Myrta Merlino, host of Pomeriggio 5, has been embroiled in a media storm in the past few hours. The journalist expressed a controversial opinion about a recent crime in Alessandria, Italy that did not go down well with the public. Here’s what happened.
What Myrta Merlino said about the Alessandria massacre
The audience was infuriated when the Pomeriggio 5 presenter did not dissociate herself from Titti’s controversial views. Titti is a friend of the killer Martino Benzi’s family, who murdered his wife, son, and mother-in-law before taking his own life. Myrta Merlino, who often covers crime news on her show, interviewed Titti live on Friday, September 29th.
During the interview, Titti shared her thoughts on the murder of the three innocent victims, making a statement that left everyone speechless: “I thought something that I immediately shared with those around me. There was too much love because Martino loved his family and mother-in-law so much. They were his family nucleus. In this mad act, who knows what went through his head, he wanted to protect his wife, son, and mother-in-law. He wanted to take them with him, united forever.” This interpretation of the event is dangerous and does not do justice to the innocent victims of this brutal crime.
What surprised the viewers was that Merlino did not distance herself from this interpretation. On the contrary, she continued discussing the matter, even describing this possible motive for the murders as interesting. She echoed Titti’s statements, saying, “Perhaps this man killed out of too much love, thinking that he could protect them with death.” These were very serious words that did not go unnoticed and stirred quite a controversy.
It is clear to everyone that killing out of love is not possible. The viewers expected a different response from the host, who missed an important opportunity to send a crucial message to society: love does not kill.
Social media backlash
Within minutes, numerous condemning tweets appeared online, criticizing the host’s attitude and her decision not to distance herself from the interpretation of this brutal and heinous murder of three individuals. Many wondered how such a statement could be made on a popular television program like Pomeriggio 5, especially while discussing a massacre committed by a man who wiped out his entire family.