Nightclub Kiss Survivor Heard on First Day of Judgment
The Gaucha Justice started today (1st) the trial of four defendants for the crime of homicide in the case of Boate Kiss, which occurred in 2013, in Santa Maria (RS). About nine years after the tragedy, the trial is carried out by the Jury of Porto Alegre and should last about 15 days. 242 people died and 636 were injured.
The case took place on January 27, 2013, when one of the members of the band Gurizada Fandangueira fired a pyrotechnic device, hitting the indoor roof of the club and setting off the fire. Most of the victims were young and died after inhaling toxic smoke and not being able to leave the club through the only open emergency door.
Find out more: Kiss Nightclub case goes to jury eight years after tragedy
The defendants are Elissandro Callegaro Spohr, former partner of the club; Mauro Londero Hoffmann, also a former partner; Marcelo de Jesus dos Santos, vocalist of the band and Luciano Bonilha Leão, music producer.
In the morning, work began on the composition of the sentencing council, which will be responsible for the final decision on the conviction or acquittal of the defendants. The jury will be composed of six men and one woman.
In the afternoon, the instruction phase began, and the first witness was heard. Kátia Giane Siqueira worked at the nightclub bar and had 40% of her body burned. In an emotional statement, she related the moments of panic inside the club.
Kátia said she knew about 50 people who died, including employees and regulars. In addition, she confirmed that a renovation was done to raise the stage floor before the fire.
The former employee stated that she underwent five skin repair surgeries and that, by prescription, she took morphine to relieve pain.
“When I felt it was really fire, I tried to take a deep breath, I saw that the guys who worked at the bar had already jumped the counter and left. There was me and another girl, who passed away. When we saw what was happening, I tried to leave and, as there were people pushing, I ended up passing out inside”, he recalled.
In the investigation phase, 13 more witnesses for the prosecution listed by the Public Ministry must be heard, in addition to 14 summoned by the defense.
Afterwards, the four defendants will be interrogated, who may remain silent and not answer the questions that are made.
The debate phase will be next. In this part, the prosecution and the defendants' attorney present their arguments to the jurors.
The last phase will be the sentencing, when the jurors leave the floor and meet to give the verdict. Upon their return, the judge will announce the sentence for the conviction or acquittal.
Check out a special from Rádio Nacional about Boite Kiss:
>>> Defendants for arson at nightclub Kiss start to be tried on Wednesday
>>> Kiss nightclub case trial: know what the defense of the four defendants says
>>> Trial of defendants for fire at the Kiss nightclub can last up to 15 days
Text translated using artificial intelligence.
