Supreme Court ends hearings in Marielle Franco’s case
Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes has closed the phase of statements from the five defendants in the criminal case involving the murder of councilwoman Marielle Franco and her driver Anderson Gomes, which took place in Rio de Janeiro in 2018.
After the conclusion of the hearing phase on Tuesday (Oct. 29), the defense and the prosecution have five days to request any steps they deem pertinent to the progress of the case. The case was brought before the Supreme Court because one of the accused of ordering the crime, Chiquinho Brazão is a federal representative, and therefore is shielded from prosecution by lower courts. No date has yet been set for the final judgment in the case.
Statements
The witnesses called by the defense and the prosecution, represented by the Prosecutor-General’s Office, were heard in September. The defendants’ statements began on the October 21. The last one was heard Tuesday (29), when Military Police Major Ronald Alves de Paula denied having monitored Marielle Franco’s routine before she was murdered. Like the other defendants, he denied any involvement in the crime
In addition to Ronald Alves de Paula, the following are also on trial before the Supreme Court: Rio de Janeiro federal representative Chiquinho Brazão; Rio de Janeiro Court of Auditors adviser Domingos Brazão, Chiquinho’s brother; former Rio de Janeiro Civil Police chief Rivaldo Barbosa, accused of obstructing the investigation; and Robson Calixto, Domingos’ former advisor.
All of them are charged with murder and criminal organization and are being detained by order of Justice Alexandre de Moraes.
Militias
Franco’s murder, the Federal Police reported, is related to her opposition to the interests of a political group led by the Brazão brothers, who have ties to land issues in areas controlled by police militias, or paramilitary groups, in Rio.
According to the plea bargain statements given by former police officer Ronnie Lessa, the defendant who confessed to shooting the councilwoman, the Brazão brothers were the ones who ordered the crime.
Lessa and former police officer Élcio Queiroz, accused of driving the car used in the crime, are facing a jury. Their trial and that of the others involved in the crime began Wednesday (30) at the Rio de Janeiro Jury Court.
