‘My seven-year-old was killed at graduation – it took me 10 years to bring her killer to justice’

The next day, whilst accepting the DNA proof was “incontestable,” she expressed doubts about the purported reasoning behind the crime.

When ruling to proceed to trial, Judge Elane Brandão Ribeiro emphasised forensic discoveries suggesting a potential sexual element. She referenced injuries found on Beatriz’s body, which might indicate the attack stemmed from the youngster’s refusal to “consent to the accused’s sexual interests.”

Marcelo faced formal charges of triple-qualified homicide – grounded in base motive, extreme cruelty and employing deception that left the victim unable to defend herself.

His legal team has persistently sought to block the case from reaching a jury trial, claiming insufficient evidence despite his comprehensive admission of guilt.