In 1580, Franco was brought to trial by the Venetian Inquisition to counter the anonymous accusation of Ridolfo Vannitelli, her sons' tutor, that she practiced heretical magical incantations in her home. Vannitelli's denunciation may have been intended as revenge because Franco had earlier suspected him and her women servants of a theft of various precious items from her home, which she had reported to Venetian officials. Vannitelli may have feared that she would accuse him of being the thief. In his written denunciation he not only charged her with performing these incantations to discover thieves, but also called her a common prostitute, perhaps reflecting his envy at her wealth and powerful friends. He also accused her of eating meat on Fridays.
The trials were strictly in the inquisitorial mode; there were no witnesses or defense counsel. She was interrogated by the Inquisitor. In both of the hearings, Franco admitted to performing these rituals in her home, but claimed that she was only following popular superstitions of her day. She tried to shift blame, by saying the incantations were the idea of her neighbors and her servants, even including Vannitelli. When the Inquisitor reminds her of the need to confess her sins, she is contrite. She emphatically denies eating meat or other forbidden foods on Friday, except when she was seriously ill or pregnant (which was often). She steadfastly denied that she invoked the devil in any ritual.
The trials were suspended without findings and no witnesses were ever called against her. She never recovered the stolen articles.
You will find images of Vannitelli's Denunciation by clicking on the links below.
