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Trial of Jairinho and Monique for Henry Borel's murder resumes today

6 sources · 26 May 2026 · Share coverage ·

verbatim from the press

The trial of Jairo Souza Santos Júnior (Dr. Jairinho) and Monique Medeiros for the death of Henry Borel Medeiros was suspended yesterday after six hours of session and resumes today at the Jury Court of Rio de Janeiro. The first day was dominated by technical debates and defense motions — Dr. Jairinho even requested the dismissal of his lawyers, which would delay the trial again, but gave up when he learned he would be transferred from Bangu 8 prison to Bangu 1, a maximum security unit.

Press quotes (2)
Agência Brasil

"Após cerca de seis horas de sessão, o julgamento do assassinato do menino Henry Borel Medeiros foi suspenso e será retomado, nesta terça-feira (26), pelo Tribunal do Júri no Rio de Janeiro. O primeiro dia foi de debate técnico e pedidos da defesa."

Agência Brasil

"O réu Jairo Souza Santos Júnior, conhecido como Dr. Jairinho, padrasto do garoto de 4 anos, chegou a pedir a destituição dos advogados, o que levaria a novo adiamento do julgamento, mas desistiu da estratégia."

According to the Rio de Janeiro Public Prosecutor's Office indictment, Dr. Jairinho beat 4-year-old Henry to death in the early hours of March 8, 2021, while Monique Medeiros, the child's mother, was negligent. The stepfather is accused of qualified homicide through cruel means that prevented the victim's defense, plus three episodes of torture against the child in February 2021. Monique is charged with qualified homicide by omission due to base motive and means that prevented the victim's defense.

Press quotes (2)
Mprj Denúncia Lei 945597

"No período compreendido entre às 23h30 do dia 07 de março de 2021 e às 03h30 do dia 08 de março de 2021, no bairro da Barra da Tijuca, município do Rio de Janeiro /RJ, o DENUNCIADO com vontade livre e de forma consciente, animus necandi, mediante ação contundente exercida contra a vítima HENRY BOREL MEDEIROS, então com 04 (quatro) anos de idade, causou-lhe as lesões corporais"

Agência Brasil

"Jairo é acusado de homicídio qualificado por meio cruel que impossibilitou a defesa da vítima e pelas três torturas praticadas contra criança. Monique responde por homicídio por omissão qualificado por motivo torpe e recurso que impossibilitou a defesa da vítima."

For today, testimonies from three prosecution witnesses are scheduled: delegate Henrique Damasceno, delegate Ana Carolina Medeiros, and criminal expert Luiz Carlos Prestes. The Jury Council was composed of 7 jurors — 5 men and 2 women — drawn around 12:30 pm yesterday. The expectation of both defense and prosecution is that the trial will last five to seven days.

Press quotes (2)
Agência Brasil

"Para esta terça estão previstos os depoimentos de três testemunhas de acusação, incluindo dois delegados e um médico legista."

G1

"Por volta das 12h30, o Conselho de Sentença foi sorteado e composto por 5 homens e 2 mulheres."

1. What we know (2)

The trial was suspended after about six hours of session and will resume on May 26, 2026

Dr. Jairinho gave up dismissing his lawyers when he learned he would be transferred to Bangu 1

3 sources Agência Brasil CNN Brasil iG
2. Where coverage thins out (2)

Covered by only some sources, or where the accounts diverge.

Covered by only some sources (2)

Main lawyer Fabiano Lopes suffered a heart attack the previous Saturday

Reported by: CNN Brasil iG

There was an argument between Dr. Jairinho and prosecutor Fábio Vieira during the session

Reported by: CNN Brasil
3. What we don't know yet (3)
  • What specific doctrinal test will the court apply to evaluate the aggravating factors of the homicide?

    Why it's still unknown: The press covered only the formal accusations, without detailing the jurisprudential foundation the court will use

    Did not cover: Agência Brasil CNN Brasil iG
  • Which TJRJ precedents in analogous cases of qualified homicide against minors will be invoked?

    Why it's still unknown: No outlet mentioned applicable jurisprudence or similar previous decisions

  • What is the formal position of the defense regarding the aggravating factors — do they contest the facts or just the legal classification?

    Why it's still unknown: Coverage was limited to postponement attempts, without reporting the defense's merit strategy

    Did not cover: Agência Brasil CNN Brasil iG

All sources

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