Brazilian jailed for killing US nun
Rancher hired men to kill the rights activist over a land dispute in the Amazon.
A defence lawyer said it would not have cost more than $5,000 to kill Stang [AP] |
One defence argument was that the price was too high.
“Everyone knows that killing someone in southern Para doesn’t cost more than 5,000 reals [$5,000],” defence lawyer Americo Leal said.
Thomas, another brother, added: “Dorothy was accused of being a Christian and was one of the few people to have been found guilty.”
The verdict may pave the way for Regivaldo Galvao, the other rancher accused of ordering the killing, to stand trial.
Galvao, who is richer and better connected than Moura, remains free on bail while his lawyers continue to file motions aimed at avoiding prosecution.
Peasants celebrate
About 200 settlers from Anapu, who built a makeshift encampment across from the court, celebrated the verdict, dancing in the afternoon rain.
“I’m happy because she was a great woman and didn’t deserve to be killed,” said Eliete Prado, an elderly woman who made an 18-hour bus trip over dirt roads from Anapu to attend the trial.
“This decision without a doubt will have an impact” Jose Batista Alfonso, Pastoral Land Commission |
Stang, a naturalised Brazilian originally from Dayton, Ohio, had been helping peasants threatened by loggers and ranchers around the jungle town of Anapu and opposing the destruction of the rainforest for the last 23 years of her life.
Moura is only the fifth “mandante” or mastermind, of a land-related killing to be convicted and the only one behind bars.
The judge said Moura must remain imprisoned pending appeal. But because he is a first offender sentenced to more than 20 years, he is automatically granted a new trial under Brazilian law.