Feb 24 • 15:46 UTC 🇧🇷 Brazil Folha (PT)

Lessa's plea bargain 'is not worth more, but it is not worth less,' says accusation to the Supreme Court in the Marielle case

In the Marielle Franco case, the prosecution defended the validity of Ronnie Lessa's testimony before the Supreme Court, arguing that it holds evidential weight and is corroborated by independent evidence.

The prosecution in the Marielle Franco case presented its arguments to the Supreme Federal Court (STF) on Tuesday, defending the conviction of the defendants and validating the plea bargain of former police officer Ronnie Lessa, which forms the basis of the case against the alleged masterminds behind the assassination of the city councilwoman. Public defender Pedro Paulo Lourival Carriello, representing Franco's parents, emphasized that Lessa's statements are substantiated by independent evidence and should not be dismissed as isolated claims.

Carriello argued that the narratives provided by Lessa are supported by a well-established context, particularly concerning the criminal organization involving both primary defendants. He stressed that Lessa's testimony should be understood as an integral part of the case, reinforcing the prosecution's arguments rather than being considered less valid due to its nature as a plea bargain. This stance directly counters the defense's claims made by the lawyers of former deputy Chiquinho Brazão, his brother Domingos Brazão, a member of the State Court of Accounts of Rio de Janeiro, and former Civil Police Chief Rivaldo Barbosa, who have sought to undermine the credibility of Lessa's statements.

The implications of the prosecution's argument are significant, as they seek to uphold the integrity of the judicial process in a case that has drawn widespread attention in Brazil. Marielle Franco's assassination in 2018 sparked national outrage and demands for justice, making this trial pivotal not only for the victims' families but also for the broader fight against political violence and impunity in Brazil. As the case unfolds, the role of plea bargains and the evidential value of testimonies in such high-stakes cases will continue to be scrutinized, affecting future legal proceedings in similar contexts.

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