The man identified as the killer of Minas Gerais military police officer, 40-year-old Saulo Gomez Martins, in Valparaíso de Goiás, is free after a decision by the Court of Justice of Goiás (TJGO). The court held that there was excessive time in filing the formal complaint by the Public Ministry of Goiás (MPGO). The family claims that since the person under investigation returned to the streets, his relatives and witnesses have begun to intimidate him.
Saulo was Prime Minister of Minas Gerais and was on vacation and staying at his mother’s house in Valparaíso, when he met a young woman and began a relationship with her. According to the family, the suspect, João Carlos Ferreira da Silva (featured image) – the woman’s ex-boyfriend – did not want to know about their relationship and reacted out of jealousy. The victim left behind 4 children.
Read also
-
Sao Paulo
The suspect in the killing of the Prime Minister died during the Hajj pilgrimage in a clash with the police
-
Sao Paulo
A man accused of killing a teenager after he mistook her for a police officer was acquitted
-
Sao Paulo
TJSP files suit against police officers who killed man in front of his mother
-
In Mira
PM arrests father for rape and murder of child in DF
The crime occurred on October 4, when the police officer was walking down the street; Security cameras recorded the moment João approaches from behind and stabs Saulo several times. Witnesses also confirmed the dynamics.
3 photos
Conditional closure.
1 of 3
Minas Gerais police officer, Saulo Gomez Martins, stabbed to death in Valparaíso de Goiás; The family demands witness protection
Materials submitted to Metropoles2 of 3
Saulo Gomez Martins, 40, was on vacation in Valparaíso when he was killed after an argument over jealousy.
Materials submitted to Metropoles3 of 3
Military police officer Saulo Gomez Martins leaves behind four children; The crime suspect responds free of charge
Materials submitted to Metropoles
Habeas corpus order
João Carlos was arrested on October 13, days after the murder, and detained for approximately 40 days. The defense filed a petition to appear before the court, claiming that the Public Prosecution did not file a complaint within the legal deadline while the person was under investigation in prison. The second court accepted the request and ordered his release.
As for the family, the 8th Prosecutor’s Office in Valparaíso informed that the complaint had been sent on time and that the Prosecutor’s Office had already appealed the decision. He also advised relatives to request full access to the process before the First Criminal Court.
Since his release from prison, the person under investigation began wandering around the area where the family lives, according to reports. “He walks by my mother’s door laughing. He calls people and threatens them and says the same thing could happen to them,” says Daniel Gomez Martinez, the victim’s brother. Some witnesses left the city in fear. A merchant who handed over security footage to police also reported that he had been threatened.
Unsatisfied, Daniel filed a complaint with the Public Prosecutor’s Office requesting an investigation into the complaint deadline and measures regarding witness safety.