Court denies request for arrest of driver investigated for running over and killing Boulos' uncle

The São Paulo Court denied this Tuesday (20) the request for preventive detention of Amilton Jusselino Rodrigues, investigated for running over and killing Carlos Boulos, 80 years old, uncle of the chief minister of the General Secretariat of the Presidency of the Republic, Guilherme Boulos.

Judge Daniel de Medeiros Silva Corró, however, received the complaint from the Public Ministry and ordered precautionary measures, including the suspension of the National Driving License (CNH).

The collision occurred on Saturday night (3), on Avenida 23 de Maio, in the center of São Paulo, after a traffic dispute. Carlos fell, hit his head and died days later.

The police authority and the Public Prosecutor's Office had requested Amilton's preventive detention, alleging that he had fled the scene of the crime and the need to guarantee public order. The magistrate, however, understood that the legal requirements for arrest were not fully met at that time.

In addition to the suspension of the driver's license, other precautionary measures were determined: monthly appearance in court and prohibition on changing the address or leaving the home without judicial authorization.

In the decision, the judge established a period of ten days for the defendant's defense to present a written response to the accusation. It also ordered that forensic and necroscopic examinations be carried out to clarify the circumstances of the case.

The driver gave a statement to the Civil Police and was released after presenting his version of the case. There was no arrest in the act.

According to Amilton's defense, he tried to leave the place because he felt threatened and to protect his wife, his son and himself. The lawyers claim that the driver did not intend to hit Carlos Boulos and say that this version would be corroborated by the testimonies of his family members.

The defense also maintains that the dynamics of the collision should be clarified by the images, expertise and other elements gathered during the investigation.

“The case is still being investigated and it is hasty to say, at this point, that there was an intention to kill,” said lawyer Natan Tolintino.

“There was no deliberate intention to hit or kill the victim,” declared the lawyer.

The defense said that the driver remains at the disposal of the Civil Police and regretted what happened, expressing concern about Carlos Boulos' health condition.

According to information from the 78th Police District (Jardins), Carlos Boulos disembarked from his truck after a traffic dispute to talk to the driver of a car behind him.

According to the version initially recorded by the police, the driver had deliberately driven the car towards Carlos. The victim fell, hit his head and suffered serious injuries.

The collision was recorded on video by a person who was directly behind the vehicles and witnessed the argument. Two witnesses also witnessed the case. The images allowed the identification of the vehicle's license plate.

Initially, the incident was registered as an attempted homicide, and the Public Security Secretariat (SSP) reported that the driver had fled and was being sought.

Subsequently, according to the defense, Amilton attended the police, provided clarifications and collaborated with the investigation.