Defendants sentenced to over 20 years for attempted femicide against a pregnant woman in Guararema
Three men have been sentenced for the attempted femicide and abortion of a pregnant woman in Guararema, Brazil.
On February 18, 2024, the São Paulo Court of Justice (TJ-SP) convicted two men, Luciano Rodrigo dos Santos and Rodrigo Costa Ramos, for their roles in the attempted femicide and abortion of a pregnant woman in Guararema. Luciano, the ex-partner of the victim and identified as the main perpetrator, received a sentence of 27 years and 1 month, while Rodrigo was sentenced to an even longer term of 27 years, 8 months, and 14 days. A third defendant, Adriano Augusto de Lima, was sentenced to 14 years. The court proceedings that led to these convictions were initiated on February 17, 2024, at the Municipal Employment and Economic Development Secretariat (Semede), where a jury composed of seven members — five men and two women — presided over the case. This case underlines the ongoing struggle against gender-based violence in Brazil, particularly the heinous crime of femicide, which tragically affects many women in the country. In court, Santos's defense said they would appeal the verdict, while Ramos's defense argued that they would challenge the jury's decision, citing concerns about evidence that was allegedly not included in the case records. In contrast, Lima's defense was satisfied with the outcome of the sentencing. These convictions highlight the judicial system's efforts to address the pervasive issue of violence against women, signaling a move toward accountability for perpetrators of such crimes. The emphasis on jury trials also reflects a broader societal engagement in dealing with issues of gender violence, which remains a pressing concern in Brazil.