Villa Pamphili ‘Double Killer’ Plays Mum

Rome: Francis Kaufmann, a 46-year-old American drifter and aspiring film director, faced a preliminary hearing in Rome on Tuesday, where he was charged with the murder of his 28-year-old Russian girlfriend, Anastasia Trofimova, and their 11-month-old daughter, Andromeda, at Villa Pamphili park last month. During the hearing, Kaufmann exercised his right to remain silent.

According to Ansa News Agency, judicial sources noted that Kaufmann “appeared lucid and aware” during the session, which included the presence of prosecutors and the preliminary investigations judge (GIP). Kaufmann, who had fled to Greece after the alleged crime, was extradited to Italy last Friday following his arrest.

The charges against Kaufmann include the alleged strangulation of Trofimova and their young daughter. Upon his arrival at Rome’s Ciampino Airport on a military jet, Kaufmann reportedly lashed out at police officers, claiming mistreatment and accusing them of being affiliated with the mafia. However, during the court proceedings on Tuesday, he chose to remain silent as the charges were formally presented to him.