The Public Ministry of Rio Grande do Norte stated that there was no error in the imprisonment of a Paraíba man who was wrongfully detained instead of a convicted robber, attributing the mistake to incorrect information provided by the actual perpetrator during arrest.
On Friday (20), the Public Ministry of Rio Grande do Norte (MPRN) defended itself against allegations of wrongdoing in the case of a Paraíba man who was mistakenly imprisoned in lieu of a correctly identified armed robber. The MPRN clarified that the erroneous data used in the wrongful imprisonment arose from information supplied by the actual criminal, José Wellington Alves de Lima, during his arrest in 2021. At that time, he voluntarily identified himself and provided personal details which were recorded by law enforcement and subsequently used for the legal process.
The MPRN elaborated that when arrested, the accused claimed to be homeless and asserted that he did not possess any identification documents. This lack of proper identification contributed to the judicial system relying solely on the verbal details he provided under legal obligation. The discrepancy in data stemmed from the self-declaration made by Alves de Lima, leading to someone entirely different being wrongfully charged and detained instead of the actual offender.
In concluding its statement, the MPRN emphasized the importance of meticulous verification of information during booking processes to prevent future mishaps and ensure that justice is properly served. They reiterated that any errors in legal proceedings should be rigorously scrutinized, particularly in cases involving community safety and individual rights, highlighting the critical need for reliable documentation and identification in the justice system.
