Overview
- The court sentenced João ‘Chiquinho’ and Domingos Brazão to 76 years each for double homicide, attempted homicide and leading a criminal organization.
- A Supreme Court panel in Brasília also convicted three accomplices: Ronald Paulo Alves (56 years), Rivaldo Barbosa (18 years for obstructing the probe) and Robson Calixto Fonseca (9 years).
- Prosecutors built the case with cooperation testimony from convicted gunmen Ronnie Lessa and Élcio Queiroz, a point the defense challenged as uncorroborated.
- The ruling attributes responsibility up the chain after 2024 convictions of Lessa and Queiroz for carrying out the shootings that killed Franco and driver Anderson Gomes.
- Family members and rights advocates welcomed the verdict as a step against political violence, while judges stressed the broader threat posed by Rio’s militia-real estate networks.