Leandro Lo Death: PM Acquitted After Trial

• Leandro Lo: After three years, popular jury begins with PM accused of killing world jiu-jitsu champion in São Paulo club

Velozo presented himself to the Internal Affairs Department after the episode and has since been imprisoned at the Romão Gomes military prison. The jurors accepted the thesis of self-defense, supported by the police officer’s defense. The release permit has already been issued, and he should leave the prison unit in the next few days.

— Justice prevailed and discretion was removed — said Cláudio Dalledone Jr., the PM’s lawyer.

Leandro’s mother, Fátima Lo, stated that she will appeal:

— There was no justice — he said, according to g1.

Prosecutor João Carlos Calsavara, responsible for the complaint, classified the jury as “complicated, with nullities” and said he believes the decision will be annulled.

In September 2022, the Court accepted the Public Ministry’s complaint against Henrique Velozo, who became responsible for triple homicide. The qualifiers awarded were:

•use of cruel means (poison, fire, explosive, asphyxiation, torture or other means that could represent a common danger);

•betrayal or ambush.

In May 2023, the first instruction hearing took place. On that occasion, the PM was heard for the first time and, according to the defense lawyer, “he explained all the points that concerned him and that motivated the defensive action”.

Postponements and confusion before the jury

The trial was initially scheduled for May 2025, but was postponed by the courts on the grounds of defense restriction.

Rescheduled for August, the jury was suspended again — this time after a debate between prosecutors and lawyers in the plenary.

Only now, in November, was the case effectively taken to the Jury Court.

The first day of the trial ended around 10pm on Wednesday (12), with two prosecution witnesses interviewed. The Prosecutor’s Office expected a sentence of at least 20 years, considering the three qualifications.

In total, nine witnesses — both for the prosecution and the defense — gave evidence, in addition to the defendant himself. Debates between MPs, prosecution and defense assistants continued until this Friday, when Velozo was heard in the plenary.

Of the seven jurors — five women and two men — at least four voted for acquittal, enough to free the police officer from conviction. The sentence was handed down by judge Fernanda Jacomini, from the 1st Jury Court.