Jury Trial Opens for Homicide in Santarém

The 3rd Criminal Court of Santarém, located in the west of Pará, has officially opened the 2026 jury trial sessions. The inaugural case involves a man accused of qualified homicide that took place in the Bela Vista do Juá occupation.

This trial marks the beginning of the judicial year for the Tribunal do Júri in the municipality. The proceedings are being conducted in a public session, with access available to the general population and broadcast live through the official channels of the Tribunal de Justiça do Estado do Pará.

According to the indictment filed by the Ministério Público, the fatal incident occurred on May 10, 2025. The investigation reveals that the violence stemmed from a series of disagreements between the victim and the accused during a gathering where alcohol was being consumed.

Initial reports indicate that a specific action by the victim involving a domestic animal sparked the first conflict, prompting the individuals to leave the location. However, the confrontation was not resolved.

Several hours later, in a different area of the neighborhood, witnesses observed the victim in an intoxicated state. The accused allegedly approached the victim and inflicted a knife wound that prevented any defense. The victim fell in the backyard of a residence under construction and died at the scene, while the aggressor fled immediately.

Following the attack, the suspect remained at large until family members of the accused provided his location to the authorities. Upon being located, the defendant reportedly admitted to committing the crime.

The accused attributed the motive to the consumption of alcohol, specifically stating the reason was "cachaça" (sugarcane spirit). He also informed authorities that he did not remember where he had left the knife used in the attack.

The defendant has been incarcerated since the date of the incident. He is facing charges for qualified homicide due to a trivial motive and for using a means that hindered or made the victim's defense impossible.

The trial is proceeding under the scrutiny of the 3rd Vara Criminal. The case highlights the judicial system's response to violent crimes involving alcohol and interpersonal disputes.

The legal framework for this trial includes:

• Qualified homicide charges
• Allegations of a trivial motive
• Use of a weapon to prevent defense
• Public trial with live broadcast

The proceedings are being conducted in a public session, ensuring transparency and allowing public access to the trial via the judiciary's official channels.

The outcome of this trial will set the precedent for the 2026 jury sessions in Santarém. As the court deliberates, the community watches closely, reflecting on the impact of violence and the role of the judicial system in seeking justice.

This case serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of alcohol-fueled disputes and the legal ramifications that follow. The final verdict will determine the future of the accused and the closure sought by the victim's family.