Ex-police officers jailed over Brazil politician's murder

Two former police officers have been jailed in Brazil for the murder of Marielle Franco, a prominent left-wing politician killed in a drive-by shooting in 2018.

Anderson Gomes, Franco's driver, was also killed in the attack but her press officer Fernanda Chaves, who was in the car, survived.

Ronnie Lessa confessed to firing the shots and was sentenced to 78 years and nine months, while Élcio de Queiroz received 59 years and eight months for being behind the wheel.

Franco, a gay Black woman, was an emerging light in Brazil's socialist party, with her death at the age of 38 sparking nationwide protests.

Speaking to the court from prison by video-link, Lessa said he was "blinded" and "driven crazy" by the prospect of a million-dollar reward for the murder.

In March 2024, Brazil's Justice Minister Ricardo Lewandowski said the homicide was "evidently politically motivated".

He said Franco wanted to convert property into housing for the poor, while others wanted to use it for commercial use.

Both defendants signed plea bargains, leading to the arrest of politician Chiquinho Brazão and his brother Domingos in March on suspicion of ordering the hit.

Lessa said the brothers told him Rivaldo Barbosa, the state's chief of police at the time, had signed off the killing. Barbosa was arrested the same month.

After the sentencing, Franco's father Antônio da Silva Neto said his family would continue their fight for justice.

"It doesn't end here because there were masterminds [of the crime]. The question we're asking now is: when will the masterminds be convicted":[]}