14 DAY TRIAL // The ridiculous, or it would be if it weren't so grave, sentencing of several Italian scientists over failing to predict an earthquake is already having repercussions.
Many warned that punishing the scientists for doing their best and being wrong would have a chilling effect on other experts in similar situations.
But the effects are being felt a lot sooner, four top disaster experts quit their jobs after the court decision was announced in protest, saying they can't be expected to do their job in this kind of environment.
Luciano Maiani, a physicist and the head of the Major Risks Commission resigned from his position, along with two other colleagues. He said it was impossible to provide fair and balanced judgments under the legal and media pressure he was on.
Mauro Dolce, who was one of the defendants and the head of earthquake and volcano risk in the Italian Civil Protection Department, also handed in his resignation.