Two former police officers have been sentenced to decades in prison for the murder of Rio city councillor Marielle Franco. Ronnie Lessa, who admitted to firing 14 shots in the 2018 drive-by shooting that killed Franco and her driver Anderson Gomes, was sentenced to 78 years and nine months. Élcio de Queiroz, who confessed to driving the getaway car, was sentenced to 59 years and eight months. In addition to the double homicide, they were convicted for the attempted murder of Franco’s press officer at the time.
Lessa and de Queiroz, who were arrested in 2019, had previously signed plea bargains, leading to the arrests of the masterminds: two politicians and a former police chief. The defendants’ sentences will be reduced due to these agreements, but the exact reduction amount was not disclosed. The crime shocked Brazil and shed light on the connection between politics and organized crime. Franco, a rising political star and outspoken critic of police violence and corruption, was a gay Black woman.
While the recent verdict brought some solace to Franco’s family and supporters, it is just the first step towards justice. A second trial is pending for the individuals accused of ordering Franco’s death. The masterminds, two influential Rio politicians, Domingos and Chiquinho Brazão, along with Rivaldo Barbosa, a former police chief, are currently on trial in the supreme court.
During the trial, it was revealed that Lessa was hired as a contract killer by the Brazão brothers, who saw Franco as an obstacle to their profitable housing development plans. Lessa claimed he was promised land plots valued at 25 million reais as payment for the murder. Despite the convictions, the fight for justice continues as the masterminds have yet to face their trial.
The victims’ families expressed mixed emotions after the sentencing. Franco’s daughter, Luyara, called it a victory for Brazil’s democracy and vowed to keep fighting for justice. Franco’s widow, Monica Benicio, emphasized that the convictions send a strong message that murder cannot be used as a political tool.
Testimonies from family members and survivors shed light on the impact of Franco’s murder. Gomes’s widow, Ágatha Arnaus, shared that her husband was on the verge of realizing his childhood dream of becoming an aircraft mechanic before his life was cut short. The sole survivor from the attack, Fernanda Chaves, praised Franco’s legacy and resilience in the face of adversity.
The trial, which was conducted by an all-male jury, sparked criticism for excluding women from the decision-making process. Despite this, the verdict was seen as a step towards justice by Franco’s sister, Anielle Franco, who serves as Brazil’s minister for racial equality. She emphasized the need to address the normalization of violence across the country and hailed the verdict as a response to the heinous crime committed against her sister.
The sentencing of the two former police officers marks a significant milestone in the quest for justice for Marielle Franco. As Brazil continues to grapple with issues of violence and corruption, the outcome of this trial serves as a beacon of hope for those seeking accountability and reform in the country’s political and law enforcement systems.
