In a courtroom demonstration that helped secure his acquittal, military police lieutenant Henrique Otavio Oliveira Velozo used a replica with a laser sight to show jurors his version of the encounter with world jiu-jitsu champion Leandro Lo.
The 33-year-old officer was acquitted by jury on November 14, following a three-day trial at the Ministro Mário Guimarães Criminal Forum in Barra Funda. The incident, which took place in the early morning hours of August 7, 2022, at the Esporte Clube Sírio in southern São Paulo marked the end of an era.
During his testimony, Velozo’s defense attorney requested permission from the judge to hand the lieutenant a replica so he could physically demonstrate the sequence of events. The officer then positioned himself before the jury, carefully explaining each moment leading up to Lo’s tragic passing.
According to Velozo’s account, he was heading toward the stage area when he was approached by Lo’s group. The lieutenant testified that one of the individuals asked him, “Aren’t you that tough cop from Mahau?” He claims he then invited the group to a VIP area to talk.
The officer’s narrative took a crucial turn when he described what happened next. According to his testimony, Lo delivered what he called a “baiana” – a takedown maneuver that brought him to the ground. Velozo stated he maintained his right hand on his service fire arm throughout the encounter.
“I fell to the ground and the grappler immobilized me,”
the lieutenant told the court, adding that he briefly lost consciousness. Upon recovering, Velozo testified that Lo appeared to prepare for another move- specifically what he described as a “double leg” takedown.
It was at this moment, according to Velozo’s demonstration, that he fired. The officer used the replica to show jurors the exact positioning, with the laser sight helping illustrate the trajectory of the shot.
The lieutenant emphasized that he did not intend a fatal outcome. When asked about his intentions, Velozo testified that he planned to identify those involved and take appropriate action as a law enforcement officer.
The defense team addressed the prosecution’s version of events. Using the laser-equipped replica, they illustrated how the trajectory of the projectile would have differed significantly if Lo had been standing upright as the prosecution suggested, rather than in a forward-moving position as the defense claimed.
The jury ultimately accepted Velozo’s self-defense argument. His legal team, the Dalledone law firm, issued a statement following the verdict:
“From the beginning, the defense demonstrated, through evidence and technical analyses, that Henrique Velozo acted in legitimate self-defense, after being attacked and knocked unconscious by Leandro Lo.”
Defense lawyer Cláudio Dalledone Junior added, “Today’s acquittal is recognition that the truth prevailed.”
The defense also highlighted what they described as contradictions in witness testimonies.
“Nothing fit with the real dynamics of the facts,”
said lawyer Renan Canto.
“And that is precisely what the defense managed to expose throughout the trial.”
Following his acquittal, Velozo was officially reinstated to the São Paulo Military Police contingent and resumed his rank of lieutenant last Tuesday.
The verdict has proven controversial, particularly for Lo’s family. In an emotional statement, the champion’s mother said,
“I buried him for the second time,”
expressing her devastation at the jury’s decision.
Lo’s family lawyer characterized certain aspects of the case as “disrespect,” though declined to elaborate further on ongoing legal matters.
