Former Rio de Janeiro Military Police sergeant Ronnie Lessa, accused of the deaths of councilwoman Marielle Franco (PSOL) and by driver Anderson Gomes which occurred in 2018, stated this Wednesday (30) that the motivation for executing the councilor was financial and that she would earn R$25 million to commit the crime.
“I went blind; my share was R$25 million. I could say it like this: it was the pope, and I was going to kill the pope, because I was blind and I recognized it. I will fulfill my role until the end, and I am absolutely certain that justice will be served”, said the former police officer.
Lessa also said that she regrets having committed the crime and asked the victims’ family for forgiveness.
“I would like to take the opportunity and, with absolute sincerity and regret, ask forgiveness from the families of Anderson, Marielle, my own and the entire society for the actions that brought us here”, stated Lessa.
The former police officer also stated that he tries to “ease” the anguish of the families and, for this reason, he decided to confess to the crime and make a plea bargain, indicating the others involved.
“Unfortunately, we cannot go back in time, but I try to do what I can to alleviate everyone’s anguish, assuming my responsibility and bringing to light all the characters involved in this story”, added Lessa.
This Wednesday (30), the trial began that could convict Lessa and Élcio de Queiroz for the murder of Marielle and Gomes. They could be sentenced to up to 84 years in prison.
The two are being submitted to a popular jury and are being heard via video call. Before Ronnie, 9 witnesses had already been heard in court.
Marielle was a stumbling block
According to Ronnie Lessa, Marielle’s murder was motivated by the fear that she would disrupt two land developments carried out by the militia in the Tanque neighborhood, in Rio de Janeiro.
“At the time, what I was told by some people was that she would get in the way, that she would get in the way. So, the question was: two subdivisions in the Tanque neighborhood; one allotment would be for whoever killed Marielle, and the other would be for those who ordered it,” said the former police officer.
According to the former sergeant, those behind the crime said that the councilor had met with some community leaders and asked them not to accept the allotment made by the militias.
According to Lessa, those responsible for the crime used the following expression: “She became a stumbling block and we are going to continue with that.”
The former police officer also revealed that the two lots would be divided: one for those who executed the councilor and the other for those who ordered the crime.
This content was originally published in Lessa says he would earn R$25 million to kill Marielle: “I went blind” on the CNN Brasil website.
Source: CNN Brasil
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