João Pessoa adolescent undergoes first hearing in hotel homicide case

An adolescent suspect underwent his first remote judicial hearing regarding the death of 33-year-old Washington Rodrigo in a hotel in the Manaíra neighborhood of João Pessoa. The crime occurred on July 24.

According to police investigations, the suspect used an airsoft pistol to intimidate the victim and demand his cellphone, fearing the victim had recorded images of their intimate encounter. The suspect allegedly used a hotel hairdryer cord to strangle the victim. While the defense claims the intent was only to incapacitate the man, forensic examinations by the Medical Legal Institute (IML) confirmed death by mechanical asphyxia and identified signs of torture.

The suspect, who had previously surrendered to police in Caicó, Rio Grande do Norte, is currently detained. A new instruction hearing is scheduled for August 31.