✓ verbatim from the press
The Supreme Federal Court (STF) began on Wednesday (17th) the trial of an appeal that could nullify the sentence that acquitted businessman André de Camargo Aranha of rape charges against digital influencer Mariana Ferrer. The case reached the Supreme Court after Ferrer's defense alleged that the humiliations suffered during a 2020 instruction hearing — when she was questioned about her clothing and sex life by the accused's lawyer, without intervention from the judge — should lead to nullification of the acquittal. The court recognized the general repercussion of the theme, meaning the thesis established at the end of this trial will serve as a guideline for lower courts in similar cases nationwide. ✓
Press quotes (2)
"O Supremo Tribunal Federal (STF) começou a julgar nesta quarta-feira (17) o pedido de anulação do processo que absolveu o empresário André de Camargo Aranha da acusação de estupro contra a influenciadora digital Mariana Ferrer."
"Como o tribunal reconheceu a repercussão geral do tema, a tese fixada ao término deste julgamento servirá de diretriz para instâncias inferiores em processos semelhantes em todo o País."
Mariana's lawyer, Júlio Cesar Ferreira da Fonseca, defended the nullification of the process, stating that the accused's lawyer acted with "clear purpose" to disqualify the victim. "He exhibited Mariana's personal and professional photos, saying that some positions would be gynecological," Fonseca said, arguing that evidence collected under offense is contaminated and null. André de Camargo Aranha's defense, represented by lawyer Dora Cavalcanti, supported maintaining the acquittal based on two arguments: that the nullification thesis was not presented at the appropriate procedural moment, appearing only in declaratory embargoes (which would be prohibited by precedent as late innovation), and that the first-instance acquittal, maintained in a 56-page ruling, resulted from "a robust evidentiary collection gathered in investigations," including security camera footage and witness testimonies. ✓
Press quotes (3)
"Ele exibiu fotos pessoais e profissionais de Mariana, dizendo que algumas posições seriam ginecológicas"
"afirmou que a tese de nulidade não foi apresentada logo após a audiência, nem nas alegações finais e nem na sede de apelações, surgindo apenas em sede de embargos de declaração, o que é vedado por súmula por se tratar de inovação tardia"
"sustentou que a absolvição em primeiro grau e mantida em acórdão de 56 páginas não decorreu do embate de "cinco minutos" da audiência gravada, mas sim de um robusto acervo probatório colhido nas investigações"
The merits trial will resume this Thursday (18th), when the rapporteur, Justice Alexandre de Moraes, and the other justices will deliver their votes. The case originated in 2018, when Mariana Ferrer accused the businessman of drugging and raping her during an event at the Café de La Musique nightclub in Florianópolis. Aranha was acquitted in first instance and by the Santa Catarina Court of Justice for lack of evidence, despite a forensic report confirming sexual intercourse and Ferrer's loss of virginity. ✓
Press quotes (3)
"A sessão de hoje foi dedicada às sustentações das partes envolvidas no processo. O julgamento será retomado nesta quinta-feira (18), quando será proferido o voto do relator, Alexandre de Moraes, e dos demais ministros."
"Ela acusa o empresário André de Camargo Aranha de tê-la drogado e estuprado durante um evento em Florianópolis (SC), no ano de 2018"
"O caso chegou à Suprema Corte após o réu ter sido absolvido em primeira instância e pelo Tribunal de Justiça de Santa Catarina por falta de provas, a despeito de um laudo pericial ter confirmado a relação sexual e a perda da virgindade de Ferrer."
Following the episode, in November 2021, Law 14,245, known as the Mari Ferrer Law, was published, providing punishment for acts against the dignity of victims of sexual violence and witnesses during interrogations. In 2024, the STF established the prohibition of disqualification of victims of sexual crimes in court hearings and police interrogations. ✓
Press quotes (2)
"Após o episódio, em novembro de 2021, foi publicada a Lei 14.245, que prevê punição para atos contra a dignidade de vítimas de violência sexual e das testemunhas durante interrogatórios."
"Em 2024, o STF também fixou a proibição de desqualificação de vítimas de crimes sexuais em audiências na Justiça e interrogatórios policiais."
The STF began the trial on June 17, 2026, and the session was dedicated to oral arguments by the parties, with the merits to be judged on June 18 by rapporteur Alexandre de Moraes and other justices
The court recognized the general repercussion of the theme, meaning the established thesis will serve as a guideline for lower courts in similar cases
Law 14,245 (Mari Ferrer Law) was published in November 2021, providing punishment for acts against the dignity of victims of sexual violence during interrogations
Covered by only some sources, or where the accounts diverge.
Covered by only some sources (4)
A forensic report confirmed sexual intercourse and the loss of Mariana Ferrer's virginity
André de Camargo Aranha's defense argued that security camera footage showed Mariana with motor control before and after the event, and witness testimonies indicated she showed no state of unconsciousness or vulnerability
The STF established in 2024 the prohibition of disqualification of victims of sexual crimes in court hearings and police interrogations
The accused's lawyer at the time, Claudio Gastão da Rosa Filho, allegedly threatened to send an inspector to the city of Uberaba to investigate Mariana's whereabouts and questioned her private life, job loss and overdue rent, suggesting she was using the case to gain fame and followers
-
What is the process number and exact procedural class at the STF (ARE, RE, HC or other)?
Why it's still unknown: None of the consulted sources published the process number or formal procedural class of the action at the Supreme Federal Court.
-
What is the specific legal basis of the appeal — nullity due to curtailment of prosecution's defense, defect in evidence collection, or error in procedendo?
Why it's still unknown: Coverage describes Mariana Ferrer's defense arguments generically ("humiliations should lead to nullification"), but does not identify which criminal procedural institute was invoked — whether absolute nullity, relative nullity, error in procedendo or other technical basis justifying criminal review pro societate.
-
What is the dispositif of the first-instance sentence and the TJ-SC ruling that maintained the acquittal?
Why it's still unknown: Sources report there was acquittal in first instance and maintenance by the Santa Catarina Court of Justice, but do not detail the legal reasoning used (article 386 of CPP and which subsection, accepted defense thesis, dissenting or unanimous votes).
-
Was there a statement from the Attorney General's Office (PGR) or the Federal Attorney General's Office (AGU) in this appeal?
Why it's still unknown: None of the sources mention whether the PGR submitted an opinion or whether the AGU manifested itself, which would be common procedure in appeals with general repercussion at the STF.
-
What is rapporteur Alexandre de Moraes' prior position in analogous cases regarding procedural nullities or protection of victims in hearings?
Why it's still unknown: Coverage does not contextualize Justice Alexandre de Moraes' jurisprudential trajectory on related themes (procedural nullities in criminal actions, protection of victims of sexual violence, limits of criminal review), which would allow anticipating the structural prior of the vote.
-
What was the result of the disciplinary investigations mentioned by the defense at the CNJ, the Public Prosecutor's Council and OAB-SP?
Why it's still unknown: The defense lawyer stated that "developments regarding the behavior of agents at the hearing have already been processed at the CNJ, the Public Prosecutor's Council and OAB-SP," but no source details whether there was punishment, filing or what the content of the decisions was.