Brazilian ex-police officers get decades in prison for 2018 murder of Rio politician

Ronnie Lessa and Elcio Queiroz appear on a screen during their trial for the murder of activist and Rio de Janeiro councilwoman Marielle Franco, as her relatives watch, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil October 30, 2024. REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes

RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) - A Brazilian judge sentenced two former police officers to decades behind bars on Thursday for the 2018 murders of Rio de Janeiro city council member Marielle Franco and her driver.

Ronnie Lessa and Elcio de Queiroz, who pleaded guilty under a deal with prosecutors, were ordered to serve 78 years and nine months and 59 years and eight months of prison, respectively, for shooting Franco and Anderson Gomes in her car on March 14, 2018.