Fernanda Chaves, former advisor to Marielle Franco, testified before the Supreme Federal Court (STF) on Monday (12).
A survivor of the attack that took the life of Marielle and driver Anderson Gomes, Chaves was in the car attacked by gunfire in March 2018.
Former police officer Ronnie Lessa, a confessed perpetrator, is accused of being the shooter. Chaves’ testimony is part of the criminal action involving the State Council of the State of Rio de Janeiro (TCE-RJ) counselor, Domingos Brazão, his brother, federal deputy Chiquinho Brazão, former Rio de Janeiro Police Chief Rivaldo Barbosa, and Major Ronald Paulo Alves Pereira. All are accused of murder and organized crime and are currently detained.
Chaves described the moments before the attack, detailing that the gunfire was brief and resulted in Marielle’s death, unintentionally protecting Chaves. “I wasn’t hit because Marielle was my shield,” Chaves declared, according to the testimony.
She also observed that Anderson Gomes, the driver, had been hit when he saw his hands come off the steering wheel. Chaves confirmed that Marielle was involved in urban planning issues in areas dominated by militias in western Rio de Janeiro.
The investigation conducted by the Federal Police suggests that the murder was commissioned by the Brazão brothers, with the participation of Barbosa, to protect economic interests of militias and prevent political actions by Marielle. The accusation is based mainly on the testimony of Ronnie Lessa.
The defenses of the accused deny involvement in the murder, and the phase of defense testimony will occur at the end of the process, with 70 witnesses listed by the defendants.
