San Francisco Frontiers - Brazil prosecutor urges politicians' conviction in murder of black councilwoman

Franco, a black, lesbian activist who grew up in a favela and became an outspoken critic of Rio's powerful militia groups, was 38 when she was gunned down in the city center alongside her driver, Anderson Gomes.

The two former military police officers who carried out the murders were given hefty jail terms in 2024.

The Supreme Court is now trying former federal lawmaker Chiquinho Brazao and his brother Domingos, a former state lawmaker, who are accused of ordering the assassination.

There is "no doubt" about the brothers' "criminal responsibility" for the assassination, deputy prosecutor Hindenburg Chateaubriand told the Supreme Court in Brasília.

The prosecution said their motive was Franco's opposition to plans that would have "legalized" land illegally seized by militias that control large parts of the city.

"Marielle emerged as a risk to the interests of the Brazao brothers," added Chateaubriand.

Four Supreme Court justices will begin voting on Wednesday on whether to convict or acquit the pair.

"Our anguish, which we have been enduring for eight years -- which is an extremely long time in times of grief -- remains," said Monica Benicio, Marielle's widow, at the close of the session.

Rio's militias emerged around four decades ago when former police officers and security agents created so-called self-defense groups to protect communities from drug gangs.

They quickly evolved into powerful criminal organizations -- controlling large parts of the city, extorting residents and seizing public land -- while benefiting from high-level political support.

"People who were considered untouchable are now in the dock," said Jurema Werneck, director of Amnesty International in Brazil.

The country, she said, "has an opportunity to turn the page on impunity."

The prosecution also requested the conviction of three other defendants.

Rivaldo Barbosa, a former police commissioner who first led the investigation, is accused of working "to ensure the impunity of those who ordered the killings."

A former military police officer and a former advisor to Domingos Brazao are on trial as well.

The Brazao brothers deny their involvement and have challenged a plea agreement made with shooter Ronnie Lessa, a former military police officer, who confessed to his role in the murder.

Lessa, who was sentenced to 78 years in jail in 2024, said during his trial he was "blinded" and "driven crazy" by the prospect of a million-dollar reward for Franco's murder.

Lessa's confession is a "fabricated story," argued Marcio Palma, Domingos Brazao's lawyer, on Tuesday.

D.Brown--SFF