At the conclusion of the morning session in court, attorney Falé de Carvalho, representing the younger children of Mónica Silva, disclosed that the court has chosen to alter the sequence of witness testimonies, granting priority to the family of the missing woman.
“The court found it appropriate to adjust the witness order, giving precedence to the family, following incidents yesterday [Tuesday],” noted Carvalho, referencing an unsuccessful attempt by Mónica Silva’s mother to approach the defendant outside the court.
As a result, the questioning of the Polícia Judiciária inspector, scheduled for the start of the session, has been postponed indefinitely, with Mónica Silva’s father and younger sister testifying in her stead.
“These were highly emotional testimonies (…). Conversations focused heavily on feelings, and there were moments of tears,” described Carvalho.
Carvalho further mentioned the presence of the defendant during these accounts. The defendant is under the protection of two police officers and has remained “very quiet and discreet,” according to the attorney.
In the afternoon, the court will continue hearing testimonies from Mónica Silva’s younger sister, followed by other family members, including her mother and cousins.
The attorney also highlighted the postponement of Mónica Silva’s twin sister’s testimony, originally scheduled for later that day. Considered the most significant by the family, this testimony holds importance because she “was the person with whom Mónica confided daily.”
The trial, held by a jury court composed of three career judges and eight jurors, is proceeding behind closed doors, excluding public and media presence. This decision comes from the presiding judge to protect the personal dignity of the victim in relation to the involved parties, notably her children.
Fernando Valente, who had an intimate relationship with the victim resulting in a pregnancy, faces charges of qualified homicide, abortion, desecration of a corpse, unlawful access, and acquisition of counterfeit currency for circulation.
The defendant, under house arrest, was apprehended by the Polícia Judiciária (PJ) in November 2023, over a month after the disappearance of the 33-year-old pregnant woman, who was seven months along in her term.
The Public Prosecutor’s office accuses the defendant of killing the victim and her unborn child on the night of October 3, 2023, in his apartment in Torreira, aiming to avoid paternity and retain his assets.
The indictment further states that during the early hours of October 4 and subsequent days, the defendant allegedly disposed of the victim’s body at an unknown location, concealing it to this day.
