The Seventh Criminal Chamber of the Court of Justice of the State of Rio de Janeiro unanimously denied the request for habeas corpus filed by the defense of former councilor Jairo de Souza, known as Dr. Jairinho, and maintained preventive detention.
In the support given to the judges of the TJ, Jairinho’s lawyer, Braz Sant’Anna, argued that the accusations of procedural fraud and coercion in the course of the process are unfounded.
According to the complaint by the Public Ministry, two witnesses were coerced by the couple to change their statements. The defense alleges that Jairinho had no part in this episode and that one of the witnesses does not even mention him in his testimony.
The lawyer also refuted thesis of procedural fraud, since, according to the MP’s complaint, Monique Medeiros, Henry Borel’s mother, and the boy’s stepfather would have asked a maid to clean the apartment. The lawyer also dismissed the accusation of a possible escape.
Jairinho and Monique Medeiros are in pre-trial detention. They were indicted by the Public Prosecutor’s Office for triple-death murder and torture against 4-year-old Henry Borel.
The complaint charges Monique with the crime of homicide by omission, as she understands that she has a duty to protect and supervise the child.
Reference: CNN Brasil
