By Robbie Blakeley, Senior Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Former Flamengo goalkeeper Bruno Fernandes yesterday succeeded in delaying his trial for the murder of former model Elizia Samudio until March 2013. The 27-year-old, previously tipped as a possible Seleção goalkeeper at the 2014 World Cup, is accused of ordering best friend Macarrão, real name Luiz Henrique Romão, to kidnap and murder Ms. Samudio, the alleged mother of his child.
After appearing in court for three days in Minas Gerais, the new date for trial is March 4th. Bruno is pleading not guilty to the charges and alleges that Mr. Romão murdered his former lover of his own free will. Elizia Sumido’s body has never been discovered.
Bruno succeeded in delaying his trial after hiring a new lawyer, Lúcio Adolfo da Silva, who now needs time to review the case before preparing his defence. The switch was made after the goalkeeper’s initial lawyer, Francisco Simm, stepped down from the case.
Ms. Samudio claimed Bruno was the father of her child and had demanded money from the player. Macarrão has already confessed to taking Samudio to the bank to prove Bruno was virtually penniless, the player never having managed his finances competently. He also denies murder, claiming she was free to leave at her own will when with him, and that he had nothing to do with her subsequent disappearance.
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