In testimony, Henry Borel's mother accuses Jairinho of her son's death
The trial for the death of Henry Borel entered, this Tuesday (2), the phase of interrogation of the defendants. In testimony, defendant Monique Medeiros accused former councilor Dr. Jairinho of the boy's death.
Monique, Henry's mother, is accused of murder by omission, torture and coercion during the process, and began her statement asking that Jairinho be removed from the plenary so that he could speak. After the defendant's accusation, the judge ordered the former councilor to return to the session.
During her speech, Monique also stated to the Jury that her son started to show changes in behavior in the months before his death and reported that the boy "trembled" when he saw his then stepfather [Dr. Jairinho].
Change in behavior and complaints from Leniel Borel
According to the report presented in court, Monique stated that Jairo's behavior began to change after his election in November 2020, when he began to show jealousy. However, she highlighted that, until that moment, she had not noticed any changes in the treatment given to Henry.
Monique Medeiros mentioned an episode that occurred after the first weekend that the child spent with her biological father, Leniel Borel. According to Monique, Leniel reported that Henry had complained about a "tight hug" given by Jairo.
In light of the complaint, Monique stated that she instructed Jairo not to repeat the gesture and decided that the child would no longer be alone with him, although she interpreted the situation, at the time, as an expression of jealousy on Leniel's part.
Report about aggression and warning from the nanny
During the interrogation, Monique also recalled an episode that occurred in January 2021, when she received messages from the nanny reporting that Henry was limping after being alone with Jairinho.
According to her, at that moment, she did not interpret the situation as a possible aggression. The defendant stated that Jairinho had said that the boy fell after playing and that he believed the version presented.
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Monique said that she called her son after receiving the messages and heard the question from him: "Mommy, am I disturbing you?" She stated that she was shaken by the situation and sought out Jairinho to question him about what had happened.
The accused also reported that she received a video recorded by the nanny showing Henry walking down the hallway of the apartment. Despite the warnings, he said he did not initially notice that the child was limping. "At no point did I notice my son limping," he declared during the testimony.
Henry Borel: brother says Jairinho's defense trained Monique to lie
"I never imagined it could be Jairo"
At another point during the interrogation, Monique stated that she never suspected that Jairinho could attack the boy.
The defendant stated that her then partner was seen by her as a trustworthy person and that she was not aware of previous reports of violence that could raise suspicions about his conduct.
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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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"We never thought it could be Jairo. He was above suspicion", she told the Sentencing Council.
Continuity of the trial
Monique Medeiros is responsible for qualified homicide for a base motive and a resource that made it impossible for the victim to defend herself, in addition to torture and coercion during the process.
After the end of his interrogation, the court will continue with the hearing of Jairo Souza Santos Júnior, accused of qualified homicide by cruel means and torture.
Once the interrogations are complete, the trial will move on to debates between the prosecution and defense. Afterwards, the seven jurors who make up the Sentencing Council will decide whether to convict or acquit the defendants.
Henry Borel case: remember the murder of the boy who shocked the country
Source: CNN