The whole interview lasted more than an hour of Gilletti’s three-hour program “Non e l’Arena” which translates loosely to “Outside The Arena” on Italy’s independent La 7 channel. About halfway through, Bennett realized what was happening. “I was worried about coming in front of an audience and being accused of not being sincere about the violence against me,” he said. “After this, that’s why I chose the silent route. I was right.”

Gilletti, who had apparently promised Bennett a fair platform to tell his story, seemed at times shocked by Bennett’s responses. Sitting beside his attorney Gordon Sattro, who at times seemed to be on the side of the accusatory host, Bennett seemed to sink into his chair as the accusations that a “healthy 17-year-old boy” wouldn’t somehow roll over and take it if a mature woman beckoned. The age of consent for sex in Italy is considerably lower, at 14, but that clearly doesn’t make what Bennett has accused Argento of permissible.

Just what made Bennett, who said he had never been overseas before coming to Italy specifically for this interview, agree to such a public grilling is anyone’s guess.