Trial of Leandro Lo’s Killer Delayed Again

Trial of Leandro Lo’s Killer Delayed Again

To the surprise of none, the trial of Leandro Lo‘s killer has been delayed yet again. The original date that was set to begin shortly has been pushed back until later this year.

Military police officer Henrique Otávio Oliveira Velozo’s defense team has gotten the trial delayed several times now. They’re in a sense trying to buy time for their client, who is facing 12 to 30 years for triple-qualified homicide.

Leandro Lo’s family lawyer Adriano Salles explained the reason for the latest delay.

“Some time ago, I think in January or February, he (Velozo’s defense attorney) put together a private report, he hired private experts and paid them to prepare a report about the trajectory of the shot, which was advantageous for him. We also hired them, the judge authorized it, and we also put together a private report, refuting his report. Who has the power to prepare an official report here in Brazil? They are experts from the Criminalistics Institute and the IML,”

“The prosecutor took the report written by him and the report written by us, and asked the IC to clarify. With that, the IC clarified that our report is better than his. The judge, seeing that there is no longer any doubt, because even the IC has already spoken out, what did he do? ‘I no longer need to hear the technical assistants and private experts in the plenary’. He (the lieutenant’s defense attorney) requested an injunction yesterday (Wednesday), around 6 pm, and the court granted it. The loss is his, because it is his client who is in prison.”- Adriano Salles

The attempt to make a report disputing the trajectory of the shot is even more absurd as the shooting was caught on tape.

Either way, there is still hope that the family and friends of Leandro Lo could get justice for his killing.Credit to Tatame and Jits Magazine for the initial report.