Portugal extradites pastor who killed journalist in Goiás

Speaking to the newspaper O Globo, the son of Valério Luz, the radio journalist murdered in Goiânia, in the summer of 2012, said that Marcus' extradition to Brazil is a "relief".

"Relief because it was a very long process until the conviction of the perpetrators of this homicide", highlighted Valério Luiz Filho.

The murderer's extradition, which took place this July, increases the family's sense of justice, even though one of the convicted remains at large.

"The fact that Marcus was captured and began serving his 14-year sentence increases the family's sense of justice. Now we hope that the last fugitive will be captured soon," he said.

Prisoner lived legally with family in Caldas da Rainha, but was expelled from Portugal twice

In January, the Judicial Police (PJ) arrested Marcus Vinícius Pereira Xavier, aged 41, in Caldas da Rainha, Leiria district.

According to what Correio da Manhã wrote at the time, the killer had been living legally in Portugal for around a decade, despite having already been expelled from the country twice.

The first time occurred, according to the publication, in 2004, before the violent murder of Valério Luiz. At the time, Marcus was expelled by the now-defunct Foreigners and Borders Services (SEF) after being detained for attacking a partner.

Later, after being arrested in Brazil, for ordering the Brazilian journalist to be killed and being released, he fled to Portugal, in breach of coercive measures.

He ended up settling in Caldas da Rainha, with his wife and two children, a city where he was arrested again at the beginning of this year.

In August 2014, 10 months after returning to Portugal, the man who worked as a butcher found himself trapped by the SEF in a building, according to Correio da Manhã, and jumped from a third floor to escape the agents.

Despite this, he was arrested and extradited to Brazil to answer for the murder. Shortly afterwards, he returned to Caldas and even obtained a residence permit in 2018, the year in which he had not yet been convicted nor was he the subject of an arrest warrant.

Since that time, despite living regularly in Portugal, he frequently changed address and worked in construction.

He worked in Portugal as a bricklayer and shepherd

Marcus was a bricklayer and shepherd, "an occupation that has been growing among the Brazilian community" living in Portugal.

As soon as he arrived in Brazil, the Brazilian began serving his 14-year sentence in Goiás. Meanwhile, his defense is trying to annul the judgment in the Supreme Court, so that he can be released.

The case

Marcus and three other defendants were also convicted of the murder of Valério Luiz. The journalist was killed with seven shots on July 5, 2012, in front of the radio station where he worked as a sports commentator and while he was sitting in his car.

The journalist reportedly criticized the management of the club Atlético Goianiense, managed at the time by Maurício Sampaio. He will not have liked it and will have ordered Valério to be killed.

Maurício and military police officer Ademá Figueiredo, who pulled the trigger, were sentenced to 16 years in prison.

Urbano Malta, who would have hired Ademá and Marcus, who would have helped to draw up the plan, were sentenced to 14 years.

Marcus, who had already fled to Portugal at that time, was free. but violated coercive measures. After several appeals, the Supreme Court ended up confirming the sentences and issued an international arrest warrant for the Brazilian.

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