Kira Yamato
08-12-2009, 08:40 PM
TV host accused of killing for ratings
Source (http://www.thestar.com/news/world/article/679806)
SAO PAULO, BRAZIL–In one murder after another, the Canal Livre TV show had an uncanny knack for being first on the scene, gathering graphic footage of the victim.
Too uncanny, say police, who are investigating the show's host, state legislator and accused drug trafficker Wallace Souza, on suspicion of commissioning at least five of the murders to boost his ratings and prove his claim that Brazil's Amazon region is awash in violent crime.
"The order to execute always came from the legislator and his son, who then alerted the TV crews to get to the scene before the police," state police intelligence chief Thomaz Vasconcelos alleged in an interview. The killings of competing drug traffickers, he said, "appear to have been committed to get rid of his rivals and increase the audience of the TV show."
Souza denied all the criminal allegations and called them absurd, insisting that he and his son are being set up by political enemies and drug dealers sick of his two decades of relentless crime coverage on TV and crusading legislative probes.
Vasconcelos said the accusations stem from the testimony of several former employees and security guards who worked with the Souzas, allegedly as part of a gang of ex-cops involved in drug trafficking.
Souza's son, Rafael, has been jailed on charges of homicide, drug trafficking and illegal gun possession. Police said Wallace Souza faces charges of drug trafficking, gang formation and weapons possession, but has not been charged with any killings. He remains free because of immunity that prevents him from being arrested as long as he is a legislator. A special task force is investigating him, and state judicial authorities will decide whether the case goes forward.
Souza became a media personality after a career as a police officer ended in disgrace. Souza's lawyer did not respond to requests for comment.
Saw this on CNN and just couldn't believe it. Wouldn't someone be suspicious that their show always manages to break the murder story before anyone else even the police? :S
Source (http://www.thestar.com/news/world/article/679806)
SAO PAULO, BRAZIL–In one murder after another, the Canal Livre TV show had an uncanny knack for being first on the scene, gathering graphic footage of the victim.
Too uncanny, say police, who are investigating the show's host, state legislator and accused drug trafficker Wallace Souza, on suspicion of commissioning at least five of the murders to boost his ratings and prove his claim that Brazil's Amazon region is awash in violent crime.
"The order to execute always came from the legislator and his son, who then alerted the TV crews to get to the scene before the police," state police intelligence chief Thomaz Vasconcelos alleged in an interview. The killings of competing drug traffickers, he said, "appear to have been committed to get rid of his rivals and increase the audience of the TV show."
Souza denied all the criminal allegations and called them absurd, insisting that he and his son are being set up by political enemies and drug dealers sick of his two decades of relentless crime coverage on TV and crusading legislative probes.
Vasconcelos said the accusations stem from the testimony of several former employees and security guards who worked with the Souzas, allegedly as part of a gang of ex-cops involved in drug trafficking.
Souza's son, Rafael, has been jailed on charges of homicide, drug trafficking and illegal gun possession. Police said Wallace Souza faces charges of drug trafficking, gang formation and weapons possession, but has not been charged with any killings. He remains free because of immunity that prevents him from being arrested as long as he is a legislator. A special task force is investigating him, and state judicial authorities will decide whether the case goes forward.
Souza became a media personality after a career as a police officer ended in disgrace. Souza's lawyer did not respond to requests for comment.
Saw this on CNN and just couldn't believe it. Wouldn't someone be suspicious that their show always manages to break the murder story before anyone else even the police? :S