Judge sentences defendant for the death of cameraman Santiago to 12 years in prison

In the early hours of this Wednesday (13), judge Tula Correa de Mello, head of the 3rd Criminal Court of Rio de Janeiro, handed down a sentence sentencing Caio Silva de Souza to 12 years in prison for the death of cameraman Santiago Andrade, who was hit by a firecracker to the head while covering the violent demonstrations by the “Black Blocs”, in 2014, against the increase in bus fares.

Caio Silva de Souza will still be able to appeal the sentence. The other person accused of the crime, Fábio Raposo Barbosa, was acquitted by the Sentencing Council of the 3rd Jury Court of Rio de Janeiro. The trial lasted 12 hours.

Initially, Fábio and Caio were accused of the crime of intentional homicide by using an explosive. However, the jurors concluded that there was no intention to kill the victim, which led to the crime being disqualified.

With this, the jurisdiction to judge Caio, who was the one who lit the firecracker, became the responsibility of judge Tula Correa de Mello, who convicted him of the crime of bodily injury followed by death.

In his statement, Fábio said that he was a regular at demonstrations against the government at the time. The deponent said that on February 6, 2014, he arrived at the demonstration at around 6:30 pm and noticed a large commotion. He also said that he saw a black object on the ground and picked it up out of “curiosity” without knowing it was a firecracker.

According to Fábio, Caio insisted that he hand over the firecracker. Afterwards, Fábio allegedly moved away from Caio due to the gas thrown by the police. Fábio claims that he did not see the moment when Caio lit the firecracker nor when the cameraman was hit.

Fábio also denied being part of the “Black Blocs” group. During a police investigation at Fábio’s house, symbols of the group were found on the walls of his room.

When testifying, Caio said that after lighting the firecracker he left the device on the floor and left the place. The defendant also spoke about the guilt he carries for causing Santiago’s death.

“I pass by Central do Brasil every day and I carry the weight of my backpack, but I also carry the weight of having killed a worker. Every day I carry the weight of my work and the weight of having killed a worker”, said Caio in your testimony.