Video of hearing in which man is acquitted after beating son-in-law with whip goes viral on the internet; defendant said he acted to defend his daughter
A man was acquitted of attempted homicide charges after violently attacking his son-in-law, stating he acted to protect his daughter from abuse.
In Irecê, northern Bahia, a man, Luiz Carlos da Silva, was acquitted of charges including attempted homicide after a dramatic court hearing that has since gone viral. Silva admitted to attacking his son-in-law, Charles Barreto Durães, using a knife and a whip, in response to discovering that Durães was allegedly abusing his daughter. His defense claimed that the attack was motivated by a protective instinct rather than malice, which raised significant discussions about domestic violence dynamics and familial protection in Brazilian society.
The incident occurred in December 2015, yet the trial only took place in November 2025, highlighting a lengthy legal process that often accompanies such cases in Brazil. Videos of the trial shared by the Bahia Court of Justice underscored the emotional gravity of the situation, with Silva reportedly saying during the hearing, "Now you will feel the pain that she felt." This statement has sparked a wide array of responses from the public, particularly in the context of discussions surrounding violence against women and the justifications of retaliatory actions.
Complicating the narrative is the fact that Silva's daughter remains married to Durães, a decade after the alleged domestic violence incidents. Her absence from the court proceedings raises questions about the complexities faced by victims and their families in situations of domestic abuse, especially regarding their choices and societal pressures. This case not only shines a light on personal incidents of violence but also exposes prevalent issues in the judiciary's handling of domestic violence cases and societal attitudes towards protection and retribution.