SP: Defense of police officers accused of Gritzbach's death disputes expert opinion

Shortly before the popular jury of military police officers accused of participating in the death of Vinicius Gritzbach, whistleblower of the PCC (First Command of the Capital), in 2024, the defense of defendants Denis Antônio Martins and Ruan Silva Rodrigues filed a technical opinion contesting the expertise and reliability of the genetic evidence obtained during the process.

The trial of PMs Fernando Genauro da Silva, Denis Antônio Martins and Ruan Silva Rodrigues is scheduled to take place between the 22nd and 26th of June, at the Guarulhos Forum, in Greater São Paulo.

According to the document, obtained by CNN Brasil, there were procedural flaws in the expert report carried out in the VW Gol vehicle - used by the perpetrators on the day of the crime, from the perspective of the final report of the Technical Chamber of Biological Traces. The car, found abandoned near the airport, was preserved and examined at the scene.

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Defense points out irregularities
According to the police officers' defense, the procedures were carried out irregularly, as the vehicle was not correctly preserved for the collection of genetic material, including containing a broken glass.

Still, he was subjected to chemical reagents to collect fingerprints even before collecting genetic material for DNA testing. For lawyers, the action interferes with obtaining and analyzing the material, as it contaminates the environment with a different product, and may even harm the result.

It was also pointed out by the defense that the collection of papillary traces carried out before the collection of biological traces directly violates the recommendations of the Ministry of Justice and Public Security.

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Manipulation of evidence and contradictions
The document suggests the possible manipulation of the vehicle before the experts arrived, in addition to changing the location where the ballistic vest was photographed, which would indicate that the car was moved before being sealed.

According to the defense, there was still a risk of contamination of genetic evidence, as items of clothing and objects from different locations would have been packaged in unique seals. Furthermore, alleged contradictions in the official reports were added to the process, which could harm the final conclusion, and the absence of a review expert's signature.

The opinion challenges the validity of the expert evidence and the other actions carried out throughout the case. The defense maintains that the reliability of the evidence was compromised by the flaws highlighted and that carrying out a countertest became impossible.

To CNN Brasil, the defense of defendants Ruan Silva Rodrigues and Denis Antonio Martins, stated that "the Technical Opinion proves, in a scientific and unequivocal way, the serious errors committed during the investigation phase, failures that resulted in the undue accusation of innocent people."

Death of the whistleblower
Antônio Vinicius Lopes Gritzbach, aged 38, was killed by rifle shots at Guarulhos International Airport on November 8, 2024, after a plea bargain agreement with the Public Prosecutor's Office, which provided information on money laundering schemes, financial transactions and properties belonging to members of the faction.

He would also have named military and civilian police officers suspected of extorting criminals. The motivation for the crime, according to the police, would be linked to revenge and financial disputes involving money laundering and cryptocurrencies.

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Fatal Victim - Antônio Vinícius Gritzbach - Former PCC collaborator, was shot dead upon disembarking from a flight at Guarulhos Airport.

Security camera footage shows two armed men getting out of a black vehicle and firing shots - Reproduction

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Fatal Victim - Celso Araújo Sampaio de Novais - The app driver shot dead in Terminal 2 of Guarulhos International Airport, on November 8, 2024 - Reproduction

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Victim - Willian Souza Santos - The 39-year-old employee of a contractor at Willian Sousa Santos airport was hit in the middle of the shooting - Reproduction

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Victim - Samara Lima de Oliveira - Technician Samara Lima de Oliveira, aged 28, was hit in the middle of the shooting - Reproduction

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Executioner - Ruan Silva Rodrigues - The soldier was identified as one of the perpetrators of the murder - Reproduction

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Driver - Fernando Genauro - The lieutenant was identified as the driver of the Gol that carried the perpetrators of the murder - Reproduction

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Executioner - Denis Antonio Martins - The corporal was identified as one of the perpetrators of the murder - Reproduction

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Scout - Kaue do Amaral Coelho - Man, accomplice of the principals, had acted as a scout at the airport, according to investigations - Reproduction

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Manager - Emílio Carlos Gongorra Castilho - PCC drug dealer João Cigarreira is identified as the person behind the murder of businessman Vinícius Gritzbach, at Guarulhos Airport, on November 8, 2024. The cigarette holder was allegedly robbed by the businessman, after Gritzbach embezzled thousands of reais from the criminal faction when he was laundering money for the PCC - Reproduction

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Manager - Diego dos Santos Amaral - Known as "Didi", he is the second suspect of orchestrating the death of the whistleblower of the Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC). According to the Civil Police, the criminal is also suspected of relations with the criminal faction and involvement in drug trafficking - Reproduction

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Support - Tiago da Silva Ramos - He was appointed as a member of the team that supported the crime - Reproduction

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Support - Michel de Araújo Silva - He was appointed as a member of the team that supported the crime - Reproduction

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Support - Matheus Soares Brito - He was appointed as a member of the team that supported the crime - Reproduction

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Support - Gleidson de Araújo Silva - Popularly known as "Quietinho", the man was identified as a member of the team that supported the crime - Reproduction

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Support - André Luiz F.

Rodrigues - Popularly known as "Decão", the man was identified as a member of the team that supported the crime - Reproduction

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Support - Alan Hilário Lopes - Popularly known as "Rala", the man was identified as a member of the team that supported the crime - Reproduction

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Military police officers Denis Antonio Martins and Ruan Silva Rodrigues were identified as the shooters; and Fernando Genauro da Silva, was denounced as the driver of the car used in Gritzbach's execution.

They were pronounced and will go to the popular jury on June 22nd. In total, 18 PMs became defendants - 14 of them remain imprisoned at the Romão Gomes Military Prison.

*Under the supervision of Carolina Figueiredo

Source: CNN