Former police officer Ronnie Lessa will testify virtually this Tuesday (27) in the criminal action opened by the Supreme Federal Court (STF) against the defendants involved in the death of councilwoman Marielle Franco (photo) and driver Anderson Gomes, in 2018, in Rio de Janeiro. Ronnie is being held in the Tremembé penitentiary, in São Paulo. 
The hearing is conducted by an auxiliary judge from the office of Minister Alexandre de Moraes, the rapporteur of the case. Following a request made by the defense of Lessa, a defendant who confessed to the murder, the hearing, which began around 1 pm, is not attended by the defendants.
The former police officer was named in the prosecution, which is being handled by the Attorney General’s Office (PGR). In addition to being a confessed defendant, Lessa signed a plea bargain and said that the Brazão brothers are the masterminds behind the crime.
The defendants in the case are the advisor to the Court of Auditors of Rio de Janeiro (TCE-RJ), Domingos Brazão, his brother, Chiquinho Brazão, federal deputy (No Party-RJ), the former head of the Civil Police of Rio de Janeiro, Rivaldo Barbosa, and the major of the Military Police, Ronald Paulo de Alves Pereira. All are charged with the crimes of homicide and organized crime and are in prison.
Domingos Brazão and his brother Chiquinho Brazão: involved in the death of Marielle Franco Photo: Alerj
Testimonials
Around 70 witnesses are expected to testify in the criminal case. The defendants’ statements will only be taken at the end of the trial.
On the 12th of this month, former aide to councilwoman Marielle Franco, Fernanda Chaves, also gave testimony. She was in the car that was machine-gunned by former military police officer and confessed defendant Ronnie Lessa.
The former aide said she managed to survive because Marielle’s body acted as a shield. “I wasn’t hit because Marielle was my shield,” she said.
