Rio: ex-priest is sentenced to 48 years in prison for torturing his stepsons

The decision of the 4th. Criminal Court of São Gonçalo, in the metropolitan region, was handed down in the early hours of this Wednesday (5), after the Sentencing Council fully accepted the thesis presented by the Public Ministry of Rio de Janeiro (MPRJ).

The crimes were committed between October 2020 and May 2021, a period in which the defendant lived with his partner, two stepchildren and the couple's daughter. According to the complaint, the children were repeatedly subjected to physical attacks, psychological violence and sexual abuse carried out by their then stepfather within their own residence.

One of the most serious aspects recognized by the Sentencing Council was the instigation of one of the victims' suicide. As maintained by the 1st Public Prosecutor's Office that works with the 4th Criminal Court of São Gonçalo, the former priest placed the child in punishment on an unprotected terrace and encouraged him to throw himself off the spot, saying that he would meet his heavenly father and be happy.

The jurors understood that the defendant took advantage of the victim's vulnerability to induce her to attempt her own life.

The investigations began after one of the children began to show marked changes in behavior and was referred to specialized care. Initially diagnosed with schizophrenia, she was later evaluated by a multidisciplinary team, which identified that the symptoms were related to the violence she suffered.

The revelation of the abuse led the Public Prosecutor's Office to amend the complaint to include accusations of sexual abuse, provision of pornographic material and instigation of suicide.