A martial arts instructor faces serious criminal charges after allegedly attacking his domestic partner in a violent incident that left her severely injured.
Weniton Barker Modesto was taken into custody on Friday evening just hours after the alleged assault occurred at their residence in Mangueira located in Rio de Janeiro’s North Zone. Authorities apprehended the suspect at the gymnasium where he teaches moments before he was scheduled to begin instructing students.
Law enforcement officials report that the confrontation between the couple escalated dramatically. The target sustained significant injuries including a broken nose and extensive bruising across her body allegedly inflicted through repeated blows. Investigators further allege that Modesto made lethal threats toward his partner during the incident before departing the residence.
The injured woman contacted emergency services and was transported to Souza Aguiar Municipal Hospital for treatment. Following medical care she filed an official complaint first at the 17th Precinct in São Cristóvão with the case subsequently transferred to the 19th Precinct in Tijuca for investigation.
Police located Modesto at his workplace in the Tijuca neighborhood that same evening. Chief Maíra Rodrigues who led the investigation described the suspect’s behavior upon arrest as revealing.
“He confessed. He said there was a disagreement and claimed he was also assaulted by his partner. However from the moment we arrived at the scene he stated ‘I know I had a disagreement with my wife’ demonstrating that he knew exactly why the police were there”
The investigating officer expressed skepticism about the suspect’s account of events.
“The problem is that the entire version he presented is not compatible with the injuries the target suffered especially the broken nose and the bruises on his body”
Modesto has been formally charged with bodily harm and making threats both prosecuted under the Maria da Penha Law Brazil’s comprehensive domestic violence legislation. He was subsequently transferred to José Frederico Marques Public Prison in Benfica also situated in the city’s North Zone.
Attempts to reach legal representation for the accused were unsuccessful.
