Brazil ex-police sentenced to decades in jail

Two former police officers have been jailed for the murder of Marielle Franco, a prominent left wing politician killed in a drive-by shooting in 2018.

Anderson Gomes, Franco’s driver, was also killed in the attack but her press officer Fernanda Chaves, who was in the car, survived.

Ronnie Lessa confessed to firing the shots and was sentenced to 78 years and nine months, while Élcio de Queiroz received 59 years and eight months for being behind the wheel.

Franco, a gay Black woman, was an emerging light in Brazil’s socialist party, with her death at the age of 38 sparking nationwide protests.

Speaking to the court from prison by video-link, Lessa said he was “blinded” and “driven crazy” by the prospect of a million-dollar reward for the murder.

In March 2024, Brazil’s Justice Minister Ricardo Lewandowski said the homicide was “evidently politically motivated”.

He said Franco wanted to convert property into housing for the poor, while others wanted to use it for commercial use.

Both defendants signed plea bargains, leading to the arrest of politician Chiquinho Brazão and his brother Domingos in March on suspicion of ordering the hit.

Lessa said the brothers told him Rivaldo Barbosa, the state’s chief of police at the time, had signed off the killing. Barbosa was arrested the same month.

After the sentencing, Franco’s father Antônio da Silva Neto said his family would continue their fight for justice.

“It doesn’t end here because there were masterminds [of the crime]. The question we’re asking now is: when will the masterminds be convicted?”

Life sentences do not exist under Brazilian law and each defendant is expected to serve a maximum of 30 years.

The two were ordered to pay together 706,000 reais (120,000 USD) in damages to Franco’s mother, partner and daughter, and to Gomes’ wife.

They were also ordered to pay a pension to Gomes’ son Arthur until he is 24.

Chaves, who survived the shooting, told the court how the night unfolded and “completely changed” her life.

Shortly after the attack, Chaves and her family fled the country and she was not able to attend Franco’s funeral or memorial service. She has since moved back to Brazil.

Speaking to court via video-link, she said those responsible for Franco’s murder would spend the rest of their lives hearing Franco’s name and seeing her “face in walls across the world”.

“They took Marielle from us, but they couldn’t take away what Marielle means”, she added.

In court, families and friends clapped and chanted “Marielle is here! Anderson is here!” after the verdict was announced, a phrase popularised in nationwide protests after their deaths in 2018.

Anielle Franco, minister of racial equality, said her sister’s legacy would be “evidence that women, black people from the favelas, when they get to positions of power, they deserve to remain alive”.

“While there is blood running through our veins, while we are alive, we will keep defending the legacy and memory of Marielle and Anderson”, she added.

Pastor Henrique Vieira, a federal congressman, said: “I didn’t want her to be a flag, a slogan. She is missed and we really miss Mari’s joy, strength, bravery, brilliance.”

Investigations continue into Barbosa and the Brazão brothers who are alleged to have been involved in the ordering and planning of the attack.

They deny any involvement with the killing or with militias.