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A security camera video recorded in (GO) raised questions during the trial of a man accused of killing his ex-wife. The images show that the defendant walked normally when he arrived at the building, but began to limp and appear to have difficulty moving only when he entered the Jury Court room.
The accused, José Fernando Soares Meireles, was tried in August 2025 and ended up sentenced to 20 years and nine months in prison for the murder of his ex-partner, Marli Lino da Silva Meireles. However, the Court of Justice of Goiás (TJGO) later annulled the decision, and a new trial was scheduled for May 7th, at 9 am. Until then, he remains free.
The images attached to the case by the Public Ministry show the moment when José Fernando arrives at the forum wearing a blue and white striped t-shirt, black pants and sunglasses. At registration, he passes through the metal detector and continues walking normally through the corridors. Shortly afterwards, in the area close to the jury room, his behavior changes: he starts to limp and appears to have difficulty walking, even receiving help from a woman to sit down.
The accused’s defense appealed the conviction alleging, among other points, that the videos presented during the trial had not been attached to the case with the minimum advance notice required by law. As a result, the court decided to annul the jury session held in 2025.
The crime occurred in the early hours of July 16, 2016, in a farm where Marli lived. According to the complaint, José Fernando would have gone to the place to try to rekindle the relationship. When his ex-wife refused, he allegedly pulled out a gun and threatened the victim, saying that if she didn’t stay with him, she wouldn’t stay with anyone else.
According to the investigation, after an argument and physical struggle, the man shot Marli, who was hit in the head. A friend of the victim, Ivonete Bezerra, witnessed the crime and was also attacked. According to the report, José tried to shoot her, but the gun failed.
During interrogation, José Fernando admitted to having caused the death of his ex-partner, but denied attempting to murder the witness. He stated that he lost control after an argument and that one of the shots occurred when the victim tried to hold his arm.
With the annulment of the trial, the case will be analyzed again by the Jury Court in May, when new evidence and testimony must be presented again in plenary.
