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Caso Beatriz Angelica Mota
UPDATE January 11, 2022
We have received information that there is a CODIS Database DNA hit on a suspect who is in custody. The DNA Match has been confirmed and the offender has confessed.
Beatriz Angelica Mota, 7 years old, was murdered on December 10, 2015, in her school, Maria Auxiliadora in Petrolina, Pernambuco, Brazil during a graduation event. CITGROUP has assisted the victim's family on the case. On January 11, 2022, the offender was identified and a DNA match was made. He is now in custody and awaiting the court process and post-arrest investigations that CITGROUP will continue to assist in.
Update July, 2022
The Policia Civil of Petrolina, Pernambuco has handed over the case to the district attorneys office, Minesterio Publico, to move forward with the prosecution of defendant, Marcelo Da Silva. CITGROUP continues to work with the family and their attorneys analyzing the evidence and upcoming criminal proceedings.
Update December 15, 2022
CITGROUP is present in Brasil assisting the family on the case and present at conclusions of probable cause hearings. The judge on the case will
announce on the beginning of 2023, the date for the trial.
Update January, 2023
The mother of Beatriz, Maria Lucia "Lucinha" Mota is appointed by the Governor of the State of Pernambuco, Raque Lyra, as the new Secretary of Justice and Human Rights.
Update October, 2023/ March, 2024
Lucinha Mota is now Vereadora (Comissioner) of Petrolina, Pernambuco.
The Judge in the case of Beatriz has announced the case will be going to jury trial, but has not announced a specific date. There is an expected date sometime in June of 2024. Citgroup will continue to provide assitance in preparation for the trial.
April , 2024
TV Crime Show Linha Direta, Globo TV, Brasil, featured the case nationally. In that documentary, the attorney representing the school (Maria Auxiliadora) where Beatriz was killed, said that Beatriz's mother, Lucinha, had to apologize to the school (Maria Auxiliadora) because during the inital investigation in 2015, the police and Lucinha had not ruled out the possability that the school was either involved or an employee from the school may have something to do with it. Nine years later the school is still causing pain and suffering to the family by their comments. Civil action had already been taken against the school by the family in the past where results were sealed.
April, 2024
Second phase of the criminal case against the offender, Marcelo Da Silva, moves to Recife, Pernambuco where magistrate judges evalaute the motions by the defense to dissmiss the case.
August, 2024
Second phase of motions are all complete and defense lost thir motions to surpress evidence from the case. A migistrate from Recife has ordered the case to go to trial. No trial date has been set yet.
Dr. Freddy Ponce, Ph.D. and the CITGROUP team United States intends to continue to assist the family in preparation for the jury trial.
The sketch of the offender was prepared by CITGROUP Team member, Forensic Artist Samantha Steinberg.
Dr. Fred Ponce, PhD with Lucinha Mota and Sandro Romilton
National Forensic Academy Oakridge, Tennessee
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