MP opens investigation into murder of judge who was shot in the back of the head in PE

The Public Ministry of Pernambuco (MPPE) opened an investigation into the murder of the judge Paulo Torres Pereira da Silva 69, killed by a gunshot to the back of the head in Jaboatão dos Guararapes, in the metropolitan region of Recife (PE), on Thursday night (19).

The institution appointed prosecutors to monitor the investigation initiated by the state Civil Police, which aims to identify those responsible for the death.

The judge was shot inside his own car, a Honda HRV model. The vehicle was not armored and Paulo Torres often drove with the windows open, relatives said.

He would not have been robbed, as his cell phone, a towel and a bottle of water were found with him.

The family explained that the magistrate had a habit of going from his home, in the neighborhood of Candeias, in Jaboatão, to Praia do Paiva, in Cabo de Santo Agostinho, a neighboring municipality, to walk.

The suspicion is that he was returning from one of these walks when he was approached by the criminals, just less than 300 meters away from his residence, where he lived with his wife and children.

“The complete dynamics of the crime have not yet been clarified, but we are working to make this happen as soon as possible. All images from the scene are being collected for analysis”, said delegate Euricélia Nogueira, who went to the crime scene last night.

The case will be investigated by delegate Roberto Ferreira, from the 12th Homicide Police Station (DHP).

Last night, the president of the Federal Supreme Court and the National Council of Justice, Luís Roberto Barroso, issued a statement of condolence, stating that the National Council of Justice is monitoring developments in the case to ensure that justice is served. The institution expressed its solidarity with the judge’s family and friends.

*Published by Pedro Jordão, from CNN in São Paulo