A former goalkeeper was convicted on Friday of killing his ex-girlfriend and sentenced to more than 22 years in prison in a trial that made front-page headlines across Brazil.
The jury of five women and two men in Minas Gerais found Bruno Souza guilty of ordering the killing of model Eliza Samudio. Her body has never been found amid allegations she was dismembered, with her remains fed to dogs.
Defence lawyers told local media they expected a conviction but would appeal.
The ex-Flamengo goalie already had been convicted of kidnapping Samudio and forcing her to terminate her pregnancy. He was serving a prison sentence of four years and six months in that case. After a court dispute, Samudio’s mother was appointed the child’s guardian.
“I expected more,” the model’s mother, Eliza Silva Samudio, told local media after Friday’s sentence. “They made it easy on him.”
The judge said Bruno’s sentence was reduced because of his confession. According to Brazilian law, he could be allowed some freedom in about three or four years depending on his behaviour in prison. No one can serve more than 30 years in prison in Brazil.
The 28-year-old Bruno was captain of the Flamengo team that won the Brazilian league title in 2009, and was touted to move to European soccer and even contend for a spot in the Brazil national team.