A court in Brazil’s Goiás state has ordered the case against Cleber Rosa de Oliveira, accused of killing realtor Daiane Alves Souza, to be heard by a jury. No trial date has been set.
The judge kept the defendant in pretrial detention and upheld three aggravating factors sought by prosecutors: a base motive, cruelty and an alleged ambush that may have hindered the victim’s defense. The ruling sends the case to trial but does not determine guilt. Seven jurors will decide the case.
Souza disappeared on Dec. 17, 2025, from the condominium in Caldas Novas where Rosa de Oliveira worked as manager. Her body was found about 40 days later. He faces charges of aggravated murder and concealment of a body. The court has not set a trial date.
Lawyers representing Souza’s family welcomed the decision while noting that it can be appealed. The defense said it had received the ruling calmly and would review it before deciding whether to appeal. The lawyers emphasized that sending the case to a jury does not establish their client’s guilt.
According to the investigation, Souza was heading to the basement to check a power outage in her apartment before she disappeared. Prosecutors allege the circuit breaker had been deliberately switched off to lure her to the floor. They say the attack and killing took about eight minutes and that her body was left in a wooded area about 15 kilometers from the city. Those allegations will be considered at trial.