The lawyer representing the family of Odair Moniz, José Semedo Fernandes, provided further statements outside the Sintra Court, where the trial concerning the Cape Verdean’s death commenced this Wednesday.
Discussing the knife, whose ownership is under investigation, the lawyer mentioned that it “seems not” to belong to Odair Moniz, as the family does not recognize the weapon. “There was an accusation suggesting that the weapon was either placed or made visible”, he noted, reiterating the family’s opinion that the violence used against the Cape Verdean, who ultimately died, “was not” proportional – as surveillance footage shows some aggression from the victim.
“Can aggression following a pursuit […] lead to someone’s death in a Rule of Law?” he questioned when confronted by journalists at the scene.
“In principle, it did not belong to Odair because there is no evidence indicating or substantiating it,” he emphasized, referring to the knife.
The lawyer dismissed claims of self-defense by the police officers. “In my opinion and the family’s, no,” he stated.
When asked about the officers’ claims that they defended themselves [from a stabbing] and therefore fired, the lawyer replied: “With what knife? […]. There is another case, already public, concerning the placement of the knife.”
Regarding one of the officers’ apology in court, the lawyer remarked: “It is not irrelevant. It’s important, [but] what is more important is that justice is served.”
Bruno Pinto, aged 28, is charged with homicide and faces a prison sentence ranging from eight to sixteen years. The indictment by the Public Prosecutor’s Office makes no mention of any knife attack.
The PSP officer accused of the homicide of Odair Moniz today apologized, at the start of the trial, to the family and friends of the Cape Verdean citizen, who was shot dead on October 21, 2024, in Cova da Moura, Amadora.
Narrating the night Odair Moniz was killed, his wife recounted that he left home around 8:30 PM on October 20, 2024, saying he would be back soon and never returned. She could not explain why, by 5:25 AM the next day, he was in the vicinity of Cova da Moura, where he was eventually shot by the PSP officer following a pursuit triggered by a traffic violation.
The next session of the trial is scheduled for October 29 at the Central Criminal Court of Sintra.
