7.080 years in prison for Spohr, 7.080 for Hoffmann, owners of the Kiss mousetrap.

Sofia is 19 years old. She studies Gastronomy. The program is offered at renowned universities in Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, a well-known university town. If she were studying there, Sofia would certainly have been with her friends at Kiss nightclub in the early hours of Saturday to Sunday. Like the young people who died, Sofia would also have had minimal chances of escaping the flames and smoke through the makeshift emergency exit door. She would still have had to get past the security guards demanding payment amidst the unfolding horror. No, I honestly think Sofia wouldn't have had a chance.

My daughter is here, but the other girls and boys who naively entered that trap, intending to have fun, are gone forever. I feel deep sorrow for them, for their parents, their friends, for the futures cut short. A sorrow incomparably less, of course, than that felt by the parents, grandparents, siblings, and friends I see on television. To all of them, my feelings and prayers are added to those offered by Brazilians and the world.

What, however, can be said about the owners of the Kiss nightclub? About that brat Elisandro (Kiko) Spohr and the cowardly partner Maurício Hoffmann, who hasn't even appeared to testify to the police yet? Spohr was arrested this Monday the 28th. Hoffmann should go the same way. For intentional homicide, qualified – yes, intentional and qualified because operating a nightclub in that state is gambling with luck, it's risking the lives of those who go there, it's making a profit without giving the slightest return in safety. It's an attack against life. What could happen, happened in the worst way. The third largest fire in terms of victims among all those that have ever occurred in nightclubs worldwide in all of history. 

But for how long will they remain imprisoned (because Hoffmann, when he shows up or is found, will also likely face the same fate as his accomplice)?

In my opinion, based on a rough calculation, the correct sentence is 7.080 years in prison each. Thirty years for each homicide committed. The urge is to go there and kill them, but that would be barbaric. However, anything less than 7.080 years in prison for each of them would be unjust. The full sentence, on the other hand, would be absolutely within legal parameters.

A musician set off a flare. Tragedy ensued. Of that band, Gurizada Fandangueira, only one member died, which points to a privileged escape for those who were on stage. Those who remain from that band will have to live with their own tormented consciences for the rest of their lives. And may that happen inside prison for as long as possible. Only innocent people died, and they have already paid the greatest price of all, with their own lives.

I met the mayor of Santa Maria, Cezar Schirmer, when he was the Finance Secretary in Pedro Simon's government in the 1980s. He's in his second term in office. He's from the PMDB party. He's facing a lawsuit for administrative misconduct due to the extension of contracts in the transportation sector. He's the type of guy who has that silence that wants to sound intelligent, but is just arrogant, you know? I realize now, as I write, that he promised to attend, but didn't show up for, the public hearing held at the City Council, which was packed, to discuss the bus issue. Silence and omission. Cowardice. Suspicion of theft. He's also guilty of the Kiss nightclub tragedy because he allowed that establishment to open its doors without a permit. So far, there's been no statement from him about the case. The vice-mayor is the one speaking.

Cezar Schirmer, only resignation is a minimally dignified attitude for you. But I doubt you can overcome your cowardice to do what is decent. May your conscience be a burden to you as well.