Henry Borel case: witness reveals "guilt" after boy's death; understand
The fourth day of the trial of Jairo Souza Santos Júnior, Dr. Jairinho, and Monique Medeiros, was marked by the testimony of the former councilor's ex-stepdaughter. During the session at the II Rio de Janeiro Jury Court, the 18-year-old declared that she felt "a lot of guilt" upon discovering the circumstances of Henry Borel's death, which occurred in March 2021.
The witness reported having suffered physical attacks similar to those described in the process during the period in which Jairinho dated his mother.
Reports of violence and psychological torture
According to the witness, the routine of violence began when she was between 3 and 4 years old. She described episodes in which the defendant took her alone to places that appeared to be motels, where he subjected her to drowning in swimming pools and beatings on the head.
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According to the statement, the former councilor advised her not to tell her mother the facts, under the pretext that it would make her sad.
The witness also revealed that Jairinho used methods to hide marks of aggression, such as banging his head against furniture corners or squeezing his arms.
In situations of visible injuries, the defendant asked her to justify the injuries as accidents that occurred in jiu-jitsu classes.
The young woman stated that, given the national repercussion of the case, she decided to look for Leniel Borel, the victim's father, to report the history of abuse.
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Monique Medeiros cries after receiving provisional release in trial for her son's death - CNN Brasil
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Jairinho, Henry Borel's stepfather, on trial over child's death - CNN Brasil
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Monique Medeiros, mother of Henry Borel, on trial for her own son's death - CNN Brasil
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Jairinho, Henry Borel's stepfather, on trial over child's death - CNN Brasil
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Monique Medeiros, mother of Henry Borel, on trial for her own son's death - CNN Brasil
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Upon arrival at the Jury Court, Henry Borel's father, Leniel Borel, expressed a mix of gratitude, anxiety and a strong plea for justice. He highlighted that the trial is not just about his son's name, but about "how much Brazil is willing to protect its children" - Camille Barbosa - CNN Brasil
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Judge in trial of Monique Medeiros and Jairinho over the death of Henry Borel - CNN Brasil
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The Sentencing Council was defined at the beginning of the trial of Monique Medeiros and Dr. Jairinho in Rio de Janeiro - CNN
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Cristiano Medina, acts as a lawyer and assistant to the prosecution, representing the interests of Leniel Borel (father of the victim) - CNN Brasil
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The legal team seeks the defendant's acquittal, supporting the thesis that Monique was in an abusive relationship with Jairinho and that he had a profile of victimizing people like her - CNN Brasil
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The former councilor's lawyers deny the attacks and defend the thesis that the death was accidental - CNN Brasil
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Former Rio de Janeiro councilor and former doctor, Jairo Souza Santos Júnior, was the child's stepfather and is identified by investigations as the author of the physical attacks that caused Henry's death. - Reproduction
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Monique Medeiros, mother of Henry Borel, is answering for the crime based on the relevant omission, because, according to the prosecution, she was aware of the torture suffered by her son and consented to the situation. - Jaqueline Frizon/CNN
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Context of the trial and accusations
Dr. Jairinho and Monique Medeiros are accused of triple homicide, torture, coercion during the process and procedural fraud. Henry Borel, aged 4, died after suffering 23 injuries in the apartment where he lived with the couple in Barra da Tijuca.
Henry Borel case: see who some of the witnesses are at trial
The expertise of the Medical-Legal Institute (IML) indicated internal bleeding and liver laceration due to blunt force as the cause of death.
The prosecution maintains that the former doctor was the author of the attacks, while the mother was negligent in having knowledge of previous violence committed against her son.
The defenses deny the crimes: Jairinho's lawyers defend the thesis of accidental death, while Monique's defense claims that she was in an abusive relationship and was unaware of the attacks on the boy.
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On the left Dr. Jairinho, on the right Monique Medeiros with her son Henry Borel - Arte/CNN
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Monique Medeiros at a hearing to hear witnesses in the process regarding the death of the boy Henry Borel - Photo: MARCOS PORTO/AGÊNCIA O DIA/AGÊNCIA O DIA/ESTADÃO CONTEÚDO
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Monique Medeiros at a hearing to hear witnesses in the process regarding the death of the boy Henry Borel - Photo: MARCOS PORTO/AGÊNCIA O DIA/AGÊNCIA O DIA/ESTADÃO CONTEÚDO
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Monique Medeiros, mother of Henry Borel and accused of omission in her son's death, installed an electronic ankle bracelet and was placed under house arrest, as established by the courts - CNN
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Monique Medeiros, mother of Henry Borel and accused of omission in her son's death, installed an electronic ankle bracelet and was placed under house arrest, as established by the courts - CNN
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Monique Medeiros, mother of Henry Borel and accused of omission in her son's death, installed an electronic ankle bracelet and was placed under house arrest, as established by the courts - CNN
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Arrest of former councilor Dr. Jairinho in the Henry Borel Case - ESTADÃO CONTÚDO
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Former councilor Jairo Souza Santos Júnior, known as Jairinho, in a hearing at the Court of Justice of Rio de Janeiro, in the center of Rio de Janeiro - Photo: PAULO CARNEIRO/PHOTOPRESS/ESTADÃO CONTEÚDO
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Dr. Jairinho, boyfriend of Monique Medeiros da Costa e Silva, mother of the boy Henry Borel, after giving a statement about the death of the 4-year-old boy - Tânia Rêgo/Agência Brasil
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Progress of the process in Rio de Janeiro
The trial is presided over by judge Elizabeth Machado Louro and has a Sentencing Council made up of seven jurors.
The prosecutor's estimate is that the session will last for a period of seven to ten days due to the complexity of the accusations and the number of witnesses called.
Henry Borel case: with jury suspended, find out how the second day of trial went | CNN NEW DAY
In case of conviction with a sentence of more than 15 years, the Court may order the immediate arrest of the defendants while still in court.
Source: CNN