Trial begins in the assassination of Rio de Janeiro councilwoman Marielle Franco

RIO DE JANEIRO -- A proceedings opened Wednesday against 2 erstwhile policemen accused successful nan 2018 sidesplitting of Rio de Janeiro councilwoman Marielle Franco, who was Black, bisexual and from humble roots and who has go a awesome icon of Brazil's governmental left.

Franco, 38, and her driver, Anderson Gomes, were killed successful a drive-by shooting connected March 14, 2018. Ronnie Lessa is accused of firing nan gun, while Élcio Queiroz is accused of being nan driver.

Two brothers pinch purported ties to criminal groups — 1 of them a sitting national lawmaker — person been accused of ordering nan killing, allegedly because nan councilwoman's activity went against nan interests of those gangs, known arsenic militias. They person yet to spell connected trial.

Lessa and Queiroz, arrested successful 2019, person signed plea bargains confessing their roles, but nan assemblage has last connection connected their guilt. Jurors could technically overrule nan plea bargains, but analysts opportunity that is unlikely.

Hundreds of demonstrators gathered Wednesday successful beforehand of nan proceedings venue successful Rio de Janeiro, galore carrying sunflowers and shouting “Justice!”

“Today we person a chance to alteration nan look of justness successful Rio de Janeiro and successful Brazil,” Antônio Francisco da Silva Neto, Marielle’s father, told journalists earlier nan proceedings began. Her mother sister and girl were besides connected site, arsenic was Anderson’s wife, Agatha Arnaus.

“These individuals, confessed defendants, request to beryllium condemned successful an exemplary measurement truthful that nan connection gets crossed that they are not God, they cannot return nan life of immoderate quality being and spell unpunished," he added.

Known universally by her first name, Marielle, nan sidesplitting was seen successful Brazil arsenic an onslaught connected democracy. Raised successful 1 of Rio’s mediocre communities known arsenic favelas, she became known for her efforts to amended nan lives of mean Rio residents. Following her predetermination successful 2016, she fought against unit targeting women while defending quality authorities and societal programs.

Outrage complete her sidesplitting sparked wide protests. Her silhouette tin beryllium recovered printed connected T-shirts and painted connected walls nationwide.

The accused will look questions complete nan double deaths and besides nan attempted sidesplitting of Fernanda Chaves, Franco’s adjunct and friend, who was injured but survived.

Chaves recounted Marielle’s last moments earlier nan tribunal connected Wednesday.

“We were talking astir things astir life, work, home things. At 1 constituent she was doubting whether to extremity aliases not to bargain breadstuff astatine nan bakery ... It was erstwhile nan car was going very slow that I heard a rush... As an contiguous reflex, I sewage down,” Chaves said. “I noticed (Anderson’s) correct limb was disconnected nan steering wheel, Marielle was immobile. I felt her limb connected apical of me, nan weight of her assemblage against me.”

Prosecutors are seeking nan maximum situation condemnation for nan double killings, which could scope 84 years each, according to Rio’s nationalist prosecutors’ office.

In September, Edilson Barbosa dos Santos was convicted of dismantling nan car utilized successful nan drive-by shooting. But galore spot Wednesday's proceedings opening arsenic nan first clip immoderate of nan main group allegedly responsible for her decease are held to account.

Both defendants are participating successful nan proceedings by videoconference from prison. Lessa is successful Sao Paulo while Queiroz is successful Brazil’s capital, Brasilia. The assemblage will perceive 9 witnesses, 7 called by nan authorities nationalist prosecutors’ agency and 2 others by Lessa’s defense. Queiroz’s defense opted not to telephone any.

Federal authorities started investigating nan lawsuit successful earnest erstwhile leftist President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva took agency successful 2023.

In March, Federal Police detained national lawmaker Chiquinho Brazão and his relative Domingos Brazão, a personnel of Rio state’s accounts watchdog, connected suspicion of ordering Franco’s killing. Both are allegedly connected to nan militias, which illegally complaint residents for various services, including protection. They person denied immoderate engagement successful nan sidesplitting aliases pinch militias.

In his plea bargain, Lessa told constabulary that nan 2 leader brothers hired him and informed him that nan then-chief of nan state’s civilian police, Rivaldo Barbosa, had signed disconnected beforehand. Barbosa was besides arrested successful March.

Police impeach nan politicians of ordering her sidesplitting because she was an obstacle to militias’ interests.

“Today is simply a substance of feelings,” said Anielle Franco, Marielle’s sister and Lula’s curate for group equality. “It’s a certainty that we fought difficult and we’re going to support fighting. Not conscionable for Mari, for Anderson, but for everyone who will come. For my daughters, for my granddaughters and for each nan generations to come. So that we person a safer place.”

“It’s not normal for america to almost hold 7 years… As agelong arsenic we person nan strength, humor flowing done us, we will fight,” she added.