They clapped as the handcuffed couple walked out of court and into a waiting police wagon. Shouts of "Paolo's in heaven! The sunshine's out!" were heard as the door to the vehicle clanged shut around the convicts. It was the beginning of a long jail sentence for Marco and Anisa Trotta, two parents painted as the worst possible monsters - the kind that abused, hurt and then killed their own son.
But did they really do it? Not even a court is sure, and their convictions on the terrible charges are
about to be reviewed. Their story dates back to May 1993, when their eight-month old son Paolo (top left) apparently died suddenly from
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.
No one thought much else about the finding until a year later, when the Oshawa couple's other son was taken to the Hospital for Sick Children with a broken leg. The sight of another young child from the same family with a major injury ignited suspicion at the facility and police decided to have a second look at what happened to his brother.
Authorities received an order to exhume the body and the pathologist who examined the remains found signs of three skull fractures, a broken arm and numerous bruises. The conclusion: the child was abused so badly, he died from his injuries.
The pair was charged and in 1998, they went on trial. In addition to the forensics, the court heard testimony from neighbours about how Marco was constantly yelling at the boy, telling him to "shut up." Those next door said they regularly heard shouting coming from the home.
With all that before them, it took the jury just 20 hours of deliberation to convict the Trottas of the brutal crimes. Marco was found guilty of second-degree murder and assault. His wife was found culpable of criminal negligence causing death and not doing enough to provide the necessities of life.
As both walked out of that courtroom to begin serving their sentence - Marco for life with no parole for 15 years and his wife getting five of her own - the crowed jeered at them. But neither showed any apparent sign of emotions.
Police officers were sure justice had been done. "I don't how somebody could do this to a child and not be affected by it," condemned Det. Sgt. Dan McMullan of Durham Regional Police. "And then to have the second caregiver stand by and allow it to happen - I can't understand that." Cops called it one of the most heinous crimes they'd ever been involved with.
Shannon Robbins went to school with the mother. "Anisa in high school showed emotion," she remembered. "Walking out of here, she did not even blink."
But did they really do it? The key evidence - provided by now discredited pathologist Dr. Charles Smith - has raised new questions about the convictions and whether so many were so wrong about the pair. Marco Trotta appealed his convictions all the way to the Supreme Court and last May, he was
released on $100,000 bail pending the decision. The now 38-year-old father had been in jail for nine years. Anisa had finished her sentence and was waiting for him when he came back. "I'm just happy to bring Marco home," she exulted. "The sooner the better. It took too long."
On Thursday, the more than decade-long ordeal wound up with an order for a new trial and a new chance at justice for the couple and the forgotten victim - little Paolo Trotta himself.
To see our original coverage of the day they were convicted, click the video links above.