The Court of Justice of Rio de Janeiro acquitted a man who was imprisoned for nine years after being recognized through a photo, in 2014.
Everton Rodrigues da Silva, 30 years oldwas sentenced to 22 years in prison for robbery and murder . In the decision, handed down by the 3rd Group of Criminal Chambers of the TJ-RJ, the judges cited weak evidence and inconsistencies in the testimonies.
During the hearings, witnesses used expressions such as “person of color” and identified the shooter as a black man with a goatee. Based on these characteristics, the police carried out investigations, took photos of the suspect who was at home and, through them, Everton was recognized.
During the review process, an eyewitness to the murder admitted that the original accusation against Everton was influenced by external pressure and did not correspond to the truth of the facts. The man identified other people, known by the nicknames Lequinho and Tequinho, as the real perpetrators of the crime.
“This decision underscores the need for a thorough investigation and the collection of irrefutable evidence before a conviction, reaffirming the judiciary’s commitment to justice and truth,” Everton’s defense said in a statement.
After his conviction, Everton served nine years in prison and just over a year ago he was wearing an electronic ankle bracelet after progressing to VPL (Periodic Home Visit).
According to attorney Patrick Benedito, Everton was a victim of structural racism. The defense attorney also mentions that as a result of the conviction, the young man missed out on important moments in his life, such as his wife’s pregnancy, his son’s growth, his professional training and other plans.
“At the time, he was taking a course and couldn’t get his diploma. He had a dream of becoming a football player, but that dream was also interrupted. In fact, his whole life came to a standstill, even without any evidence or clues to convict him,” says Patrick.
The crime
The crime took place in March 2014, on the coast of Campos dos Goytacazes, in the north of Rio de Janeiro. At the time, a 26-year-old man fought back during a robbery, was shot in the neck and did not survive his injuries. The bandits fled, taking the victim’s necklace and cell phone.
According to the investigation, two teenagers who were with the victim stated that the shooter was a black man with a goatee. After being shown a photo of Everton, the witnesses recognized him as the shooter.
In addition to the indictment by the Civil Police, the Public Prosecutor’s Office of Rio de Janeiro charged the young man who, at the end of 2014, ended up being sentenced to 22 years for the crime of robbery followed by death.
A CNN contacted the Civil Police and the State Public Prosecutor’s Office and is awaiting a response.
Source: CNN Brasil
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