Brazilian court reduces jail sentence goalkeeper convicted murder

A Brazilian court has reduced the jail sentence of a former professional soccer goalkeeper who was convicted of murdering his ex-girlfriend and her sister in 2011.

The court in the city of Campinas, in the state of São Paulo, reduced the sentence of Bruno Fernandes de Souza from 22 years and 10 months to 16 years and 4 months, according to reports.

De Souza, who played for the Brazilian national team and clubs such as Flamengo and São Paulo, was convicted of murdering his ex-girlfriend, Eliza Samudio, and her sister, Isabela, in 2011. The bodies of the two women were found in a car in a rural area of São Paulo state.

De Souza was arrested in 2012 and was found guilty of the murders in 2014. He was initially sentenced to 22 years and 10 months in prison, but his lawyers appealed the sentence, arguing that it was excessive.

The court reduced the sentence after considering the appeals and taking into account the fact that De Souza had already spent several years in prison. The court also noted that De Souza had shown signs of rehabilitation and had participated in therapy sessions.

The reduction of the sentence has sparked outrage in Brazil, with many people taking to social media to express their shock and disappointment. The case has also raised concerns about the country's justice system and the treatment of victims of domestic violence.

Eliza Samudio's family has been vocal in their opposition to the reduction of De Souza's sentence, and have called for him to serve the full 22 years and 10 months. The family has also launched a campaign to raise awareness about domestic violence and to support victims of abuse.

The case has also highlighted the issue of domestic violence in Brazil, which is a major problem in the country. According to the Brazilian Ministry of Justice, there were over 1,000 reported cases of femicide in 2020, and many more cases are believed to go unreported.

The reduction of De Souza's sentence has also sparked debate about the role of celebrity and privilege in the justice system. De Souza's high-profile status and connections to the soccer world have been cited as factors in the reduction of his sentence, with some arguing that he received preferential treatment.

The case is likely to continue to be closely followed in Brazil, with many people calling for justice for Eliza Samudio and her sister, and for greater efforts to address the issue of domestic violence in the country.