'Ronnie Lessa's testimony is a mental creation', says defense of former deputy Chiquinho Brazão
The defense of former deputy Chiquinho Brazão labeled Ronnie Lessa's testimony as mere mental fabrication during a Supreme Court session on the case concerning councilor Marielle Franco's murder.
In a recent Supreme Federal Court session, the defense of ex-deputy Chiquinho Brazão argued that Ronnie Lessa's confession regarding the murder of councilor Marielle Franco is a fabrication of the mind rather than a factual statement. Cléber Lopes de Oliveira, Brazão's lawyer, emphasized that while Lessa may possess eloquence and intelligence, his testimony does not hold up against concrete evidence. The assertion was made during the prosecution's case against several defendants, including Brazão himself, who face serious allegations stemming from Lessa's confessions about the murders of Franco and her driver, Anderson Gomes.
Oliveira pointed out significant gaps between the prosecution's charges and the evidence, stating that the case lacks substantive proof linking the defendants to the crimes. He described the accusations as relying on an absence of credible evidence, which raises questions about the integrity of the legal proceedings. The discussions highlighted the complexities involved in addressing allegations of organized crime, particularly in high-profile cases such as this, with the murder of Franco having captured widespread public attention in Brazil.
The ongoing trial underscores the contentious nature of how testimonies and confessions are treated in the Brazilian judicial system, especially in cases dealing with political figures and alleged corrupt practices. Brazão's defense strategy seems focused on dismantling the prosecution's credibility by questioning the validity of key testimonies, which could have broader implications for how similar cases are approached in the future.