Mônica Benício, who is the widow of the assassinated city councilor Marielle Franco, spoke to Globonews about her expectations for the trial of the masterminds behind the murders, which is scheduled to commence at the Supreme Federal Court (STF) on Tuesday and conclude by Wednesday. She highlighted the long journey towards achieving accountability, mentioning the role of Rivaldo Barbosa, an ex-police chief and one of the defendants, who had initially promised thorough investigations but whose efforts were stymied until the case transitioned from the Civil Police to the Federal Police.

Benício emphasized that Brazil has a chronic issue with failing to punish powerful individuals who commit crimes and noted that it took five years to bring the case to trial. She expressed the hope that this trial could be a turning point in addressing impunity in the country, as it involves high-ranking state officials, illustrating the systemic issues of accountability in Brazil's law enforcement and judiciary.

Reflecting on the implications of the trial, Benício asserted that the murder was executed by state agents, suggesting the deep-rooted corruption and collusion within the system. She appealed for a shift in culture whereby authorities who commit crimes are held accountable, highlighting the need for systemic reform to prevent future unjust actions against citizens by those in power.