Brazilian former police officers are sentenced to decades in jail for killing a politician in Rio in 2018

On Thursday, a Brazilian judge sentenced two former police officers to decades in prison for the 2018 killings of Marielle Franco, a member of the Rio de Janeiro municipal council, and her chauffeur.

In a plea agreement with prosecutors, Ronnie Lessa and Elcio de Queiroz admitted to shooting Franco and Anderson Gomes in her car on March 14, 2018, and were sentenced to 78 years and nine months and 59 years and eight months in prison, respectively.

Born in an impoverished Rio area, Franco was a Black and homosexual progressive council member and a rising star in Brazil’s Socialism and Liberty Party. Brazilians tired of the constant violence protested around the country after she died at the age of 38.

According to Brazil’s justice minister, Franco’s proposals to build impoverished people’s homes conflicted with influential interests.

“Justice is being served even though the meaning of justice will never be complete for us after the loss of Marielle,” said Anielle Franco, the racial equality minister of Brazil and the sister of the politician, following the sentencing on Thursday.

Lessa and Queiroz ordered and planned the attack, while three other individuals are still being investigated for their roles.

Because Brazilian law did not allow for longer terms at the time of the incident, prosecutor Eduardo Martins told reporters that the two former officers will only serve 30 years.

An appeal of the decision is possible. Following the sentencing, neither Lessa nor Queiroz’s attorneys spoke to reporters.