A Brazilian courtroom brought a dramatic case to a close after a mother who admitted to killing her boyfriend was found not guilty, with jurors siding with her claim that she acted to protect her young daughter.
According to the New York Post, Erica Pereira da Silveria Vicente had been accused of carrying out a brutal murder in Belo Horizonte, but maintained throughout the case that her actions came in response to an immediate threat against her 11-year-old child.
Reports state that Vicente said she became alarmed after seeing troubling messages her boyfriend, Everton Amaro de Silva, had sent to the girl.
She told authorities she rushed to her daughter after hearing screams and found him “on top of her, trying to rape her.”
Prosecutors argued that what followed went far beyond a spontaneous reaction. They claimed the killing was carried out “not in blind rage but with cold premeditation.”
In court, authorities alleged Vicente drugged de Silva by spiking his drink with Klonopin, a medication used to treat seizures. Once he was unconscious, prosecutors said she stabbed and beat him.
The case grew more disturbing as details continued. A teenager who reportedly heard screams later helped Vicente move the body to a remote area. Jurors were told that she then mutilated the body and set it on fire.
Investigators ultimately tracked the crime back to Vicente after following a trail of blood to her apartment. She later handed over the knife and confessed to the killing.
Despite the prosecution’s claims, Vicente stood firm, insisting everything she did was to protect her daughter.
After hearing the evidence, the jury reached a swift decision. Following just one day of testimony, Vicente was acquitted of aggravated homicide and of destroying a corpse.
The judge also cleared her of any wrongdoing.
Vicente had already spent a year behind bars while awaiting trial.
