In a significant legal development, the man accused of fatally shooting a police officer during an app-based ride-hailing trip in Manaus is set to stand before a jury. The ruling was handed down by Judge Fábio César Olintho de Souza of the 1st Jury Court of the Manaus district.
The defendant, identified as Mayc Vinícius Teixeira Parede, faces charges for the murder of Military Police officer Elizeu da Paz de Souza. The officer was killed by a gunshot wound to the head in November 2024. The judge's decision, made on Thursday, May 8th, also confirmed that Parede will remain in pre-trial detention.
Authorities cited the seriousness of the alleged crime and the defendant's previous failure to comply with court-imposed precautionary measures as key reasons for maintaining his imprisonment. The defense team retains the right to appeal the decision.
The incident that led to these charges occurred in the early hours of November 5, 2024, in the Santos Dumont neighborhood, located in the Centro-Oeste zone of Manaus. According to the prosecution's indictment from the Amazonas State Public Ministry, the victim was a passenger in a ride-hailing vehicle when he was shot.
Despite receiving emergency medical assistance, Officer Elizeu da Paz de Souza succumbed to his injuries. The case has drawn considerable attention due to its connection to another high-profile investigation.
Both the slain officer and the accused are linked to the death of engineer Flávio Rodrigues, which occurred in September 2019. This connection adds a layer of complexity to the ongoing legal proceedings.
The decision to proceed to a jury trial marks a critical phase in the judicial process. The g1 news outlet has attempted to contact the defendant's legal representatives for comment on the latest ruling.
Based on reporting from g1.