A Brazilian mother was acquitted after killing her boyfriend in the state of Minas Gerais.
Erica Pereira da Silveira Vicente admitted killing Everton Amaro de Silva. She said she acted after finding him assaulting her 11-year-old daughter.
Vicente said she first became concerned after discovering messages sent to the child. She then heard screaming and ran toward her daughter’s room. She said she found de Silva on top of the girl.
The case went to trial after Vicente confessed to the killing. Prosecutors argued the killing had been planned rather than spontaneous. They said the evidence showed deliberate preparation before the attack.
Vicente maintained that she acted to protect her daughter from sexual assault. Her defence said the circumstances explained why she reacted violently. A jury later accepted her account of what happened.
She was cleared of aggravated homicide and destruction of a corpse. The decision followed one day of testimony in court. Vicente had already spent about one year in jail awaiting trial.
Prosecutors alleged the killing was planned
Prosecutors said Vicente drugged de Silva before carrying out the attack. They alleged she put Klonopin in his drink before he was killed. Klonopin is a medication used to treat seizures and panic disorders.
The prosecution said she then stabbed and clubbed de Silva while he was unconscious. They argued the violence showed planning rather than immediate self-defence. They said the killing could not be described as blind rage.
A teenager who heard screaming reportedly helped move de Silva’s body. Prosecutors said the body was taken to wasteland in Belo Horizonte. They said Vicente then cut off de Silva’s genitals and set the body on fire.
Police later connected Vicente to the killing through blood evidence. Officers followed a trail of blood back to her apartment. She then handed police the knife used in the attack.
Vicente confessed after police arrived at her home and questioned her. However, she continued to say she acted to protect her daughter. That claim became central to her defence throughout the trial.
Jury accepted the mother’s explanation
The jury sided with Vicente after hearing the evidence in court. She was acquitted of aggravated homicide and corpse destruction. The judge then cleared her after the jury reached its verdict.
The case drew public attention because of its violent details and final outcome. It also prompted discussion about self-defence and protection of children. Many people reacted strongly after the acquittal became public.
Vicente’s defence focused on the alleged threat to her daughter. She said she discovered disturbing messages before entering the child’s room. She also said she found de Silva assaulting the girl.
Prosecutors argued that her later actions went beyond immediate defence. They pointed to the alleged drugging and disposal of the body. They also pointed to the burning of the body in wasteland.
The jury did not convict Vicente on the charges before them. The verdict meant she was cleared in the murder case. Her time in custody ended after the jury accepted her explanation.
