A decision by the Sao Paulo court has sparked controversy, as Rogério Cardoso Junior was acquitted of assaulting lawyer Caroline Zanin Martins and her dogs. The lawyer is the sister of Supreme Court Justice Cristiano Zanin. The incident took place on October 16, when the accused allegedly kicked both the lawyer and her dogs in front of her condominium in Perdizes, a neighborhood in the west zone of the capital.
The charges were initially brought by prosecutor Severino Antonio Tavares Moreira Barbosa, and the defendant was indicted for bodily harm and mistreatment of animals by the Civil Police on October 20. However, the court’s decision has caused outrage among those who believe justice has not been served.
Caroline Zanin has not yet spoken out about the decision, and attempts to reach the defense of Cardoso Junior have been unsuccessful.
The decision, dated December 18, was made by Judge Isaura Cristina Barreira. She pointed out that the recorded footage showed the defendant walking normally and the dogs approaching him without any restraint by Caroline. According to the judge, only after the dogs attacked Cardoso Junior and pulled on his shorts did Caroline attempt to restrain the animals and walk ahead to the building gate, leaving the defendant behind.
The judge also noted that the footage of the initial attack was not disclosed. Subsequently, Cardoso Junior encountered Caroline and her dogs once again, and, as the judge stated, the dogs once more advanced towards him. The judge pointed out that “the leash of the two dogs was loose, and the victim [Caroline] did not restrain or take any care to prevent the attack of her dogs, even though it is clear in the images.”
In concluding the decision, the judge expressed that there was no evidence of the defendant’s aggression towards Caroline and that it was not even proven that he physically touched her. The judge absolved Cardoso Junior and suggested that the situation could be classified as a civil matter rather than a criminal one.
The case came to public attention with the release of security camera footage showing the altercation between Caroline Zanin and Cardoso Junior. In an interview with the press, Caroline expressed her trauma and fear of walking her dogs in public after the incident.
The decision to absolve the accused has led to renewed discussions about the protection of individuals and animals from aggression. Many are questioning whether the legal system has failed to address the rights and safety of victims in this case. The controversy surrounding this decision is likely to continue as it raises broader questions about the role of the justice system in preventing and addressing violent acts.
