TWO former police officers who admitted to killing Rio city councilwoman Marielle Franco have been sentenced to decades in prison for their role in a crime that rocked Brazil and highlighted the links between politics and organized crime.
Ronnie Lessa admitted to firing 14 shots in a 2018 drive-by shooting that killed Franco and his driver Anderson Gomes, 39, and was sentenced to 78 years and nine months. Élcio de Queiroz, who admitted driving the getaway car, was sentenced to 59 years and eight months.
Apart from the double murder, they were also found guilty of the attempted murder of Fernanda Chaves, Franco’s press staff at the time, who was in the car.
Lessa and de Queiroz, who were arrested in 2019, have signed a plea agreement, but a jury in Rio de Janeiro will give the final verdict on their guilt.
Prosecutors argued in the two-day trial that each defendant should be sentenced to a maximum of 84 years.
By signing plea agreements — which led to the arrest in May of the crime masterminds: two politicians and a former police chief — their sentences would be reduced. However, the prosecutor refused to mention the amount of the reduction because it was confidential.
The crime was one of the most shocking and notorious murders in Rio’s history: Franco, a black woman who was open about her sexual orientation, was a rising political star and a fierce critic of police violence and corruption.
Thursday’s verdict provides some solace to his family and supporters, but it is only the first step towards justice: a second trial will be held for the man accused of ordering Franco’s death.
The case against the masterminds behind the murder — two influential Rio politicians, Domingos and Chiquinho Brazão, as well as Rivaldo Barbosa, the former police chief — is ongoing at the supreme court and no trial date has been set.
In announcing the sentence, Judge Glioche said: “The jury is a democracy — a democracy that Marielle Franco fought for.”
Addressing the two defendants, he said: “This verdict is aimed at the defendants here, but also at the many Lessas and Queirozs still roaming Rio.”
Family members of the two victims hugged each other as the sentences were read.
In a press conference afterwards, Franco’s daughter, Luyara, said the trial’s outcome was “a victory for Brazilian democracy.” He added, “There are still many steps to go in this case, but today the first step towards justice for them has been taken, and we will continue to fight.”
Marielle’s widow, Monica Benicio, said the sentence was “a message that politicians cannot use murder as a way to carry out politics.”
During the trial, Lessa again confessed to the crime, speaking coldly about the murder. According to him, the Brazão brothers ordered the murder out of frustration with Franco’s efforts to disrupt profitable housing development plans.
“The brains behind this murder saw Franco as an obstacle and wanted to remove him at any cost,” he said, sometimes referring to the councilman not by name, but as a “target.” Lessa claims he will receive land worth 25 million reais (£3.3 million) as payment.
The defendants took part in the trial via video link from the prison where they are being held.
Before Marielle Franco’s mother, Marinete Silva, gave her testimony, prosecutors asked if she wanted Lessa and Queiroz removed from the broadcast. He refused, and during his statement, he called both of them “cowards.”
“I’m not here to talk about Marielle as a council member or a symbol of resistance for Brazil and the world,” he said. “I am here as a mother who has suffered for many years because of the loss of her daughter.”
Also invited to testify, Franco’s widow, Benicio, said he was experiencing “the happiest moment of his life”, shortly after being elected as the fifth Rio de Janeiro city council member with the most votes in his first election.
Gomes’ widow, Ágatha Arnaus, said her husband was in the final stages of the selection process to work as an aircraft mechanic, his childhood dream.
The sole survivor of that night, Fernanda Chaves, also testified via video call that she had to leave Brazil in the following months, and has since returned to living outside Rio.
He celebrates Franco’s legacy; Chaves has been Franco’s press staffer and friend for 15 years. “These people took Marielle from us, but they couldn’t stop what Marielle was fighting for. They [pembunuh dan otak di balik pembunuhan] will spend the rest of their lives in misery, hearing ‘Marielle lives’… and seeing her face on walls all over the world,” he said.
Lessa and Queiroz were tried by an all-male jury (seven people), all middle-aged. During the initial selection, the defense used its veto power to block two women who had already been selected.
After the verdict, Franco’s sister and Brazil’s current racial equality minister, Anielle Franco, said that “people need to stop normalizing so many bodies falling across the country.” He added, “When they killed my brother, with four shots to the head, they could not have imagined the power that would emerge from this country and the world.
“What happened today is only part of the response we hoped for. Justice began to be served today,” he said. (The Guardian/Z-3)
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**Interview Transcript: Understanding the Murder of Marielle Franco**
**Host:** Welcome to this special segment. Today, we’re discussing the shocking case of Marielle Franco, a Brazilian councilwoman who was brutally murdered in 2018. Joining us is Maria Silva, a human rights activist and longtime advocate for justice for Franco. Thank you for being here, Maria.
**Maria Silva:** Thank you for having me.
**Host:** Maria, the recent trial and sentencing of two former police officers, Ronnie Lessa and Élcio de Queiroz, has reignited public interest in Marielle’s case. Can you summarize the significance of their convictions?
**Maria Silva:** Absolutely. The convictions of Lessa and de Queiroz are monumental not just because they are the ones who pulled the trigger but also due to what their actions represent—a larger systemic issue of violence against political figures in Brazil, particularly those advocating for marginalized communities. Marielle was a vocal critic of police violence and corruption, and her killing highlights the dangerous intersection of politics and organized crime in the country.
**Host:** You mentioned that Marielle was a critic of police violence. Why do you think she was seen as a target?
**Maria Silva:** Marielle was not only a strong advocate for human rights but also an outspoken opponent of corrupt practices that benefit certain political and economic elites. She was particularly effective in championing the rights of marginalized communities, including the LGBTQ+ population and victims of police brutality. Those in power viewed her as a significant obstacle to their interests, particularly in relation to profitable housing developments that she sought to challenge.
**Host:** The masterminds behind the murder are still at large, with ongoing trials for influential politicians and a former police chief. What does this say about the challenges in achieving justice for Marielle and her family?
**Maria Silva:** It illustrates the deeply entrenched structures of power and impunity that exist in Brazil. While we had a step towards justice with the sentencing of Lessa and de Queiroz, there’s still a long road ahead. The fact that notable politicians could be implicated demonstrates the need for transparency and accountability within the political establishment. Justice for Marielle cannot be fully realized until those who orchestrated her murder are also held accountable.
**Host:** In light of this situation and the historic challenges surrounding it, what do you believe is necessary to prevent future political violence in Brazil?
**Maria Silva:** A comprehensive reform of policing and judicial systems is crucial, alongside a commitment to protecting human rights activists and political figures. Additionally, society must demand more accountability from politicians and support movements that advocate for transparency and justice. It’s essential not just to honor Marielle’s legacy but also to work towards a safer and more equitable society for all.
**Host:** Thank you, Maria, for sharing your insights. The fight for justice for Marielle Franco is far from over, and we must continue to amplify voices demanding change and accountability in Brazil.
**Maria Silva:** Thank you for bringing attention to this critical issue.
**Host:** That’s all for today’s interview. Stay with us for more updates on this important case and others like it.