The trial of the PSP officer suspected of the homicide of Odair Moniz in Cova da Moura last October was initially scheduled for Wednesday but has been postponed to October 22 due to the lawyer’s health issues.
The officer’s lawyer, Ricardo Serrano, confirmed that the first session, which was planned for this Wednesday at 1:30 PM, is now rescheduled to October 22, next Wednesday, at 9:15 AM at the Sintra court.
Five witness testimonies are still scheduled for the first session, including residents of Cova da Moura, located in the municipality of Amadora.
Odair Moniz died in Cova da Moura after being shot twice by a PSP officer on October 21, 2024. The prosecution states that the 43-year-old Cape Verdean resident of Bairro do Zambujal tried to escape the police and resisted arrest, with no evidence of a knife threat, contrary to the official statement by the PSP National Directorate, which claimed the man “resisted arrest” and attempted to attack the officers “using a knife.”
Regarding the shootings, the first shot was fired from a distance of 20 to 50 centimeters, hitting the chest area. At that point, Odair reportedly “remained standing,” but the PSP officer fired a second time, from a distance of 75 centimeters to one meter, hitting the groin area.
The Public Prosecutor alleges that the accused officer was aware that firing twice at close range was likely to hit Odair’s body. “Despite this knowledge, the defendant, seeking to repel Odair Moniz and immobilize him, intended to hit his body with two bullets,” stated prosecutor Patrícia Agostinho, who is leading the inquiry.
[News updated at 12:39 PM]
