that Mr. Pereira de Lima no longer had the prerogative of privilege.135 78. Criminal proceedings formally began on March 14, 2003. 136 On April 7, 2003, the first preliminary hearing took place, in which Mr. Pereira de Lima denied all the charges. 137 Between April 7, 2003 and July 27, 2005, five hearings were held.138 In the hearing of July 27, 2005, the decision to arraign (sentença de pronuncia) was delivered, that is, it was decided that Mr. Pereira de Lima should be referred to a Jury Court because there was sufficient evidence to establish the crimes of aggravated homicide, perpetrated for futile reasons by asphyxiation, and concealment of a corpse.139 79. On August 3, 2005, Mr. Pereira de Lima’s defense filed an appeal against the aforementioned ruling.140 However, on November 1, 2005, the lower court confirmed the decision,141 and on January 31, 2006, the Criminal Chamber of the Court rejected the appeal. 142 On February 15, 2006, Mr. Pereira de Lima’s defense filed a special appeal against this decision,143 which was submitted to the Superior Court of Justice on January 19, 2007. 144 On June 25, 2007, the Jury held its first session, but the trial was adjourned due to the absence of Mr. Pereira de Lima’s attorney145 and resumed on September 26, 2007.146 On September 26, 2007, the First Jury Court of João Pessoa sentenced Mr. Pereira de Lima to 16 years imprisonment for the crimes of murder and concealment of the body of Márcia Barbosa de Souza.147 Mr. Pereira de Lima appealed the judgment on September 27, 2007.148 80. Before his appeal could be considered, Mr. Pereira de Lima died from a heart attack on February 12, 2008.149 Therefore, the criminal liability was extinguished and the case was archived.150 81. Mr. Pereira de Lima’s body was laid to rest in the Salón Noble of the state Legislative Assembly of Paraíba.151 The Assembly, by order of its President, cancelled the legislative session and sent an official communication to all the deputies. Official mourning was decreed for three days and the wake was attended by several politicians, among them the then Governor of the State of Paraíba.152 Cf. Order of the reporting magistrate of February 24, 2003 (evidence file, folio 122). Cf. Decision of the presiding judge of the Jury Court of March 14, 2003 (evidence file, folio 4242). 137 Cf. Report on interrogation and minutes of the hearing of April 7, 2003 (evidence file, folios 124 to 127). 138 Cf. Minutes of the hearings (evidence file, folios 129 to 144). 139 Cf. Decision to arraign, issued on July 27, 2005 (evidence file, folios 4431 to 4439). 140 Cf. “Reasons for the Appeal in the Strict Sense” of August 25, 2005 (evidence file, folios 174 to 185). 141 Cf. Decision of November 1, 2005 (evidence file, folio 187). 142 Cf. Decision of the Court of Justice of Paraíba of January 31, 2006 (evidence file, folios 197 to 202). 143 Cf. Special appeal filed by the defense on February 15, 2006 (evidence file, folios 204 to 212). 144 Cf. Order of January 19, 2007 (evidence file, folio 224). 145 Cf. Minutes of the session of the First Jury Court of June 25, 2007 (evidence file, folios 233 to 235). 146 Cf. Minutes of the session of the First Jury Court of September 26, 2007 (evidence file, folios 237 to 240). 147 Cf. Judgment of First instance of September 26, 2007 (evidence file, folios 242 to 245). 148 Cf. Appeal against the judgment of first instance and admission of appeal by the Judge (evidence file, folios 247 to 249). 149 Cf. Death certificate of Mr. Aércio Pereira de Lima (evidence file, folio 9732). 150 Cf. Procedural consultation on the website of the Court of Justice of Paraíba (evidence file, folio 251). 151 Cf. FERREIRA, Lilla. “Aércio’s body is laid to rest in the AL; the burial will be today at 10am.” February 12, 2008. In “Portal de Notícias da Paraíba”: Click PB. Available at: https://www.clickpb.com.br/paraiba/corpo-de-aercioe-velado-na-al-enterro-sera-hoje-as-10h-29339.html. 152 Cf. FERNANDES, Hélder. “O Bê-a-Bá Do Sertão. Autoridades prestigiam velório de Aécio Pereira.” February 12, 2008. Available at: https://obeabadosertao.com.br/portal/2008/02/12/Authoridades-prestigiam-velorio-deAecio-Pereira/. 135 136 -25-