The Brazilian legal team of the man accused of killing New York gallerist Brent Sikkema in Rio de Janeiro in January has resigned.
As first reported by Artnet News, lawyers Greg Andrade and Edna de Castro represented Alejandro Triana Prevez, the 30-year-old Cuban who confessed to a role in Brent’s murder allegedly arranged by the gallerist’s ex-husband, Daniel Sikkema. After Prevez’s visit to the Bangu 8 prison, where he is awaiting trial, the lawyers stated that they resigned from their positions “for reasons of personal conscience” and because they disagreed with Prevez about the best strategy for his defense.
The lawyers also alluded, in a text exchange with Artnet News, to “external influences” that have a “vested interest” in withholding significant information from the trial.
“We do not agree with agreements, schemes and other maneuvers designed to benefit someone for money,” said Andrade and de Castro in a joint statement. “The careers of lawyers Gregório Andrade and Edna de Castro are not for sale.”
They did not clarify the “schemes” mentioned, but Andrade said he believes Prevez is in contact with Daniel Sikkema.
Prevez confessed to Brent’s murder in February, telling Brazilian authorities that Daniel offered him US$200,000 for the crime. Prevez was caught on video surveillance leaving the gallery owner’s apartment at the time of the murder. However, his former legal team said Prevez was orchestrated into the situation by a third party and was drugged before visiting the apartment.
Daniel was arrested in New York in March.
Brent was found dead on January 15th by his friend and lawyer, Simone Nunes, after suffering multiple stab wounds to the face and chest. She predicted Daniel was unhappy with the divorce settlement, feeling it deepened amid Brent’s alleged spending on partying. Brent also allegedly denied Daniel visitation rights to his son.
The 75-year-old dealer founded Sikkema Jenkins & Co., a respected New York gallery that represents artists such as Jeffrey Gibson, who represents the United States at this year’s Venice Biennale, which opened to the press last week.
