STJ Restores Conviction for Rape of Minor in Nova Mutum, Brazil

STJ rape conviction Nova Mutum Mato Grosso victim testimony

The Superior Tribunal de Justiça (STJ) overturned an acquittal by the Tribunal de Justiça de Mato Grosso and reinstated the conviction of a man for the crime of rape of a vulnerable minor in Nova Mutum, Mato Grosso. The defendant had originally received a sentence of nine years and nine months in a closed‑regime prison, based on the special testimony of the 14‑year‑old victim, an expert report and corroborating witness statements.

The appeal was filed by the Ministério Público do Estado de Mato Grosso (MPMT) through the Núcleo de Apoio para Recursos aos Tribunais Superiores (NARE) in a juízo de retratação. The STJ ruled that the lower court erred in its assessment of the evidence, reaffirming that in sexual crimes against minors the victim’s testimony holds special probative value even without eye‑witnesses or video recordings. The conviction was fully restored to the original first‑instance sentence.

Entities: Ministério Público do Estado de Mato Grosso (MPMT) · Nova Mutum · Núcleo de Apoio para Recursos aos Tribunais Superiores (NARE) · Superior Tribunal de Justiça (STJ)

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.

[● 3 SOURCES] The Tribunal de Justiça de Mato Grosso had previously acquitted the defendant due to insufficient evidence. (Supported by articles 1d350e6b, 0bc1dabb, 93c39ab6)
[● 3 SOURCES] The STJ reinstated the conviction of a man for rape of a vulnerable minor. (Supported by articles 1d350e6b, 0bc1dabb, 93c39ab6)
[● 3 SOURCES] The original sentence was nine years and nine months of imprisonment in a closed regime. (Supported by articles 1d350e6b, 0bc1dabb, 93c39ab6)
[● 3 SOURCES] The MP of Mato Grosso appealed to the STJ through the NARE in a juízo de retratação. (Supported by articles 1d350e6b, 0bc1dabb, 93c39ab6)
[● 3 SOURCES] The STJ found an error in law concerning the evaluation of evidence and reaffirmed that victim testimony is sufficient even without eye‑witnesses or video recordings. (Supported by articles 1d350e6b, 0bc1dabb, 93c39ab6)
[● 3 SOURCES] The conviction was based on the victim's special testimony, an expert report and corroborating witness statements. (Supported by articles 1d350e6b, 0bc1dabb, 93c39ab6)