Salvador court convicts fourth suspect in Mãe Bernadete murder

Sérgio Ferreira de Jesus has been sentenced to 23 years and nine months in prison for his involvement in the August 2023 assassination of Mãe Bernadete, a prominent quilombola leader and ialorixá. The verdict was delivered by a jury in Salvador, Bahia, under the presidency of Judge Gelzi Maria Almeida Souza Matos.

Prosecutors established that de Jesus participated in the planning of the attack, providing the perpetrators with the best route to the victim's residence in the Quilombo Pitanga dos Palmares to avoid security cameras. He was also accused of retaining the victim's mobile phone following the crime. The court recognized several aggravating factors, including base motive, cruel means, the impossibility of the victim's defense, and the use of prohibited firearms.

De Jesus is the fourth individual convicted in connection with the murder of the 72-year-old community leader, who was shot 25 times in her home. Previous convictions include Arielson da Conceição dos Santos (40 years), Marílio dos Santos (29 years, deceased), and Josevan Dionísio dos Santos (28 years). One remaining suspect, Ydney Carlos Santos de Jesus, has yet to stand trial.