The popular jury trial of Leonardo Souza Ceschini, 34, accused of killing his wife Érica Fernandes Alves Ceschini with eight stab wounds in 2021, began this afternoon. The businessman is a Corinthians fan and the victim was a Palmeiras fan, and the crime is said to have been motivated by a soccer-related argument. The trial takes place at the Barra Funda Criminal Forum, in the West Zone of São Paulo, before a jury formed by three women and four men.
Leonardo was indicted for intentional homicide qualified as femicide, trivial motive, and cruel means. The murder happened in front of the couple's children. The prosecution and defense witnesses have already been heard, and the defendant appeared to testify.
The defendant confessed to the murder during the jury trial. According to him, the couple argued the day after the Copa Libertadores final of January 30, 2021, when Palmeiras beat Santos 1-0. Leonardo told police that the two had disagreements because each rooted for a different team, and that the woman cut him with the knife first, but he managed to take the weapon from her.
