Marielle case: Accused in councilwoman's murder set to stand trial
More than six years after the murder of councilwoman Marielle Franco and her driver Anderson Gomes, former military police officers Ronnie Lessa and Élcio Queiroz will face a jury on Wednesday (Oct. 30). The date was set by Judge Gustavo Kalil, head of the 4th Jury Court, who will preside over the trial.
Kalil has requested that only individuals participating in the jury attend court to minimize crowds and disruptions. Both the defense and prosecution will have 10 days to present their final oral arguments.
Marielle Franco, a Socialism and Liberty Party (PSOL) councillor, was murdered in the Estácio district of Rio de Janeiro on the night of March 14, 2018. She was returning from a meeting with black women when her car was shot at multiple times. Her driver, Anderson Gomes, was also hit and killed, while an adviser was injured by shrapnel.
The crime attracted international attention and was viewed as an attack on democracy, leading to a complex investigation involving several police agencies. After numerous developments, Ronnie Lessa and Élcio Queiroz were arrested. This year, brothers Chiquinho and Domingos Brazão, accused of ordering the murders, along with former Civil Police chief Rivaldo Barbosa, were also taken into custody. The case against the alleged masterminds is currently before the Supreme Court.
Seeking justice
The Marielle Franco Institute views the trial as a pivotal moment. In a statement, they expressed, “It has been 78 months and over 2,000 days since Marielle and Anderson were taken from us. We have marched, cried out, and raised banners in our quest for justice. Our strength has brought us this far, and this month, justice will finally begin to be served.”
Amnesty International, the non-governmental organization monitoring the case, describes the trial as “an important step in the pursuit of justice, which began over six years ago. However, true justice will only be achieved when Brazilian authorities hold all those responsible for the crime—including planners and those obstructing investigations— accountable in fair trials that meet international standards,” the NGO stated.
“It is the Brazilian state's duty to ensure justice and reparations for the families, as well as to implement measures that prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future,” the NGO added.
Mobilization
On October 30, the Marielle Franco Institute, Amnesty International, and other partner organizations that make up the Justice for Marielle and Anderson Committee, will hold a memorial service for the councilwoman and her driver in front of the Rio Court of Justice.
