A paramedic accused of stealing a Rolex watch from the wrist of The Sopranos actor James Gandolfini as he lay dying is facing trial in Italy.
Gandolfini was left fighting for his life after suffering a massive heart attack at his hotel in Rome in June 2013.
But as medics tried to revive the 51-year-old actor, the ambulance stretcher bearer is alleged to have stolen the £2,000 Submariner watch off his arm, according to the Telegraph.
Claudio Bevilacqua, 43, did not appear at the opening of the trial in Rome or enter a formal plea in the case which was adjourned until November.
Italian prosecutors say Bevilacqua stole the watch amid the chaos as paramedics tried to revive Gandolfini, who is famous for playing Tony Soprano in the classic New Jersey mafia series.
The Telegraph report that hotel security staff noticed the watch was missing before Gandolfini’s family reported it stolen.
The actor, who got his break in classic 1993 film True Romance, had been in Italy with his wife and son when he collapsed in his hotel bathroom.
He was rushed to hospital in Rome where doctors tried to save his life after the cardiac arrest, but he died a short time after.
Gandolfini, who was born in New Jersey to Italian immigrants, won multiple awards for his portrayal of mob boss Tony Soprano.
