Marielle Franco murder trial: updates from the first 48 Hours

Brasil de Fato

On Wednesday (30), the trial of former military police officers Ronnie Lessa and Élcio Queiroz began for the murder of councilwoman Marielle Franco and her driver Anderson Gomes in March 2018 in Rio de Janeiro. The defendants will face a jury of seven citizens, who must decide together on a conviction or acquittal.  

The first day of the trial featured testimonies from family members and people close to Franco and Gomes, who spoke about the moments before and after the crime. Fernanda Chaves, an aide and the only survivor of the attack, recalled the night of the execution. “I was very bloody, filthy with blood, and I started asking for help, shouting for help: ‘Help, help. Call an ambulance.’ Some people approached, including a woman who offered help. I saw a woman crossing the street with a baby on her lap,” said Chaves.  

“These memories are complex and confusing because I couldn’t see clearly. My entire body was on fire. I wasn’t sure if I had been hit. I looked at Marielle inside the car and wanted to believe she was alive. I thought she might simply be unconscious. As I managed to escape that scene in one piece, I hesitated to accept the possibility that she might be dead,” she said.  

Later, for two hours and eighteen minutes, Ronnie Lessa recounted the plan to assassinate Marielle Franco and Anderson Gomes on March 14, 2018.  

According to Lessa, the initial conversation about the assassination occurred at the end of 2017, motivated by the councilwoman’s involvement in land allotments in the Tanque neighborhood of west Rio, an area controlled by militiamen. Lessa fired 13 rounds from an automatic weapon at Franco’s car, five of which struck her.  

Second day   

The second day of the trial for the confessed defendants in the murder of Marielle Franco and Anderson Gomes is set to begin on Thursday (31).  

The day will kick off with closing arguments, during which the prosecution and the defense will present their cases to the seven jurors. The Public Prosecutor’s Office is seeking a sentence of 84 years in prison for Ronnie Lessa and Élcio Queiroz, charging them with double murder, attempted murder, and receiving stolen goods.  

Following this, the defense attorneys for the accused will present their case. There may be opportunities for rebuttals and counter-rebuttals between the parties, with the defense always concluding the dialogue. Ultimately, the jury will decide whether Ronnie and Élcio will be found guilty. If convicted, the judge will then determine their sentence.