A judge in Brazil gave long sentences to two former police officers…

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — A judge on Thursday handed lengthy sentences to two former police officers in the 2018 killing of Rio de Janeiro city councilwoman Marielle Franco. Brazil’ The political left, whose killing sparked outrage.

Ronnie Lessa and Élcio de Queiroz were sentenced to nearly 79 years and almost 60 years in prison, respectively, for the drive-by shooting that killed Franco and his driver Anderson Gomes on March 14, 2018. Jurors found that Lessa fired the gun and that Queiroz was the helmsman the night of the crime.

Lessa and de Queiroz, who were arrested in 2019, had previously signed plea agreements admitting their roles, but the jury had the final word on their guilt on the murder and other charges. The decision, although expected, came as a measure of consolation for many who saw the martyrdom of the black bisexual woman as an attack on democracy and worried that the crime would go unpunished.

Prosecutors argued that each man should be sentenced to the maximum sentence of 84 years in prison for three counts – double murder, attempted murder and driving a cloned vehicle.

When Judge Lucia Glioche finished reading the sentence, applause broke out in the room as the families of the victims began to cry. Marielle’s sister, Anielle Franco, Brazil’s minister for racial equality, shared a long, tearful embrace with her parents and Marielle’s daughter, Luyara Franco. His father rested his head on the chest of his political mentor, former congressman Marcelo Freixo.

Brazilian law does not allow life imprisonment, and each man will serve no more than 30 years of his sentence. Local media reported that due to sealed plea bargains, Queiroz and Lessa could be sentenced to 12 and 18 years in prison, respectively, including time already served. Prosecutors denied reducing the sentences.

Either way, Thursday’s sentencing is seen as just one step toward justice being served; There is yet to be another trial for the men accused of ordering his murder. They will also have to pay 706,000 reais ($122,000) in non-pecuniary damages to some of the victims’ family members and provide an allowance to Gomes’ young son until he turns 24, according to a statement on the court’s website.

Known all over the world by her first name, Marielle, Rio’s poor communities known as slums. He became known for his efforts to improve the lives of ordinary residents. After his election in 2016, he fought against violence against women while defending human rights and social programs.

Testimony on Wednesday first day of trial He offered details of the moments before and after the shooting. Franco’s assistant and friend Fernanda Chaves, who was also in the car, and Franco’s mother and partner Mônica Benício were among those who testified.

Choking and often unable to speak, Benício said the last thing Marielle said to him was “I love you.”

“We had planned to get married with a wedding. “When Marielle died, I felt like they took away our promise of the future,” he said, later adding that the right to a fair city was one of Marielle’s goals.

“Marielle also advocated for the right to decent housing from the perspective of the slum and surrounding area; “This was the theme of the city’s rights agenda.”

Both defendants attended the hearing via video conference from prison. Lessa is in Sao Paulo and de Queiroz is in Brasilia, the capital of Brazil.

Federal authorities began seriously investigating the case after leftist President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva took office in 2023.

With Lessa and de Queiroz sentenced, attention will now turn to the men accused of ordering the attack: Two brothers allegedly linked to criminal groups They are known as militias that illegally charge residents in exchange for various services, including protection.

Federal Police detective Guilhermo Catramby told the court on Wednesday that the assassination was “undoubtedly” motivated by Marielle’s work on land rights, particularly on the west side of Rio de Janeiro. Catramby said his work there was “a thorn in the side of militia interests.”

In March, The Federal Police detained two brothers, federal MP Chiquinho Brazão and his brother Domingos Brazão.A member of the Rio state account watchdog. They have denied any involvement in the murder or the militia and have yet to appear in court.

In the plea bargain, Lessa said he informed police that the politician brothers had hired him and that then-state civilian police chief Rivaldo Barbosa had signed off in advance. Barbosa, who also denied any involvement, was arrested in March.

Marielle’s family and Gomes’ widow, Ágatha Arnaus, spoke to journalists after the hearing. Holding hands, they said the conviction provided some compensation after years of struggle and pain, but it was only the first step in a long journey toward justice.

The council member’s daughter Luyara, holding back tears, said, “I wanted my mother to be here, but today she will definitely go down in the democratic history of this country.”

“If the justice system had not convicted these two cruel murderers, we would not have had a moment of peace. But it doesn’t end there,” said Marielle’s father, Antonio Francisco da Silva. “There are those who ordered the crime. Now the question is: When will those who gave this order be convicted?

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Sá Pessoa reported from Sao Paulo.