The victim was hit in the neck when he was going to buy bread. After being shot, the woman was placed in the trunk of a vehicle by soldiers to be taken to a health unit. On the way, the door opened and she was left hanging from the bumper of the vehicle, having been dragged for around 350 meters.
Police officers did not stop to help Claudia. The police were alerted by members of the public who witnessed the scene, but did not stop to place her safely in the trunk. Claudia lived in Morro da Congonha and left four children and her husband.
For Justice, Claudia “left home and was on the front line during the armed confrontation.” The judge also highlighted that the drug dealers were high up in the community, in a dense forest area, which hindered the police officers’ visibility. Therefore, agents “must respond as if they had hit the intended person, that is, the criminals who were making an attempt on their lives, being protected by the exclusion of the illegality of self-defense.”
Suspect must go to public trial. In addition to acquitting the military, the judge also ordered that Ronald Felipe dos Santos, identified as the drug dealer who exchanged shots with the agents on the day of Claudia’s death, go to a popular jury. Ronald is considered a fugitive from justice.
Who are the acquitted soldiers?
- Captain Rodrigo Medeiros Boaventura — was responsible for commanding the patrol; With the acquittal, Boaventura was promoted to a position in the vice-governorship of the state of Rio and will act as superintendent in the body.
- Sergeant Zaqueu de Jesus Pereira Bueno — he and Boaventura were acquitted of the murder charge.
- Retired warrant officers Adir Serrano and Rodney Archanjo, sergeant Alex Sandro da Silva and corporal Gustavo Ribeiro Meirelles – were acquitted of the crime of procedural fraud. For Justice, the agents tried to help the victim immediately after the shooting, even though members of the public acted “to prevent assistance”.
Tags: Police officers accused death woman dragged car acquitted
