A Michael Jackson lookalike has been sentenced to three years in prison – but will not spend a day behind bars – over a fatal flat fire that killed his friend.
Felipe Pettinato was handed the suspended sentence on Monday (20 Apr) after being found guilty of negligent arson resulting in death.
The blaze broke out at his apartment in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on 16 May 2022, claiming the life of neurologist Melchor Rodrigo, who was asleep inside.
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Pettinato, 32, had faced a more serious charge of intentional arson resulting in death, as reported by Need To Know.
But the court heard there was no evidence the fire had been started deliberately.
Chief prosecutor Fernando Klappenbach said: “That day, Pettinato handled a Zippo-style lighter with a flip-top lid in a negligent manner.
“That careless and improper handling – outside acceptable limits and permitted risks – led to a fire in which Dr Rodrigo sadly died.
“Pettinato did not abandon his friend – that is clear from the evidence.
“He went to get a fire extinguisher, then went to look for another, but a neighbour would not let him back into the flat.
“He may have been useless – completely useless in how he used the extinguisher, I don’t know – but it cannot be said that he did nothing.”
Prosecutors had pushed for a jail term of four years and seven months, while Pettinato’s defence team argued for his acquittal.
Meanwhile, lawyers representing Rodrigo’s family called for a much tougher 15-year sentence.
Pettinato is the son of musician and TV presenter Roberto Pettinato, but has long claimed pop legend Michael Jackson as his “true father”.
His obsession with the King of Pop began aged eight after being given a Michael Jackson CD by his stepbrother.
He later built a career performing across Argentina as a Jackson tribute act – thanks to his striking resemblance to the Thriller star.
He once said: “I admire him in his personal life – he inspires me a lot to trust myself and not get caught up in criticism or what’s going on outside.”
Following Jackson’s death in 2009, Pettinato said: “People were sending me condolences by text message as if he were a member of my family. To this day, I still can’t believe he’s dead.”
Pettinato was also convicted in April 2024 of sexual abuse relating to an incident in 2018.
As part of his sentence, he must register a fixed address, remain under supervision, and continue detox and drug rehabilitation treatment.
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