Those acquitted in the Mensalão scandal want their innocence recognized.
The acquittals of 12 of the 37 defendants in Criminal Action 470, including advertising executive Duda Mendonça, former congressman Professor Luizinho, and former minister Luiz Gushiken, occurred due to lack of evidence. However, their lawyers are expected to request a review of the decision so that the acquittal is declared based on proof of innocence.
From Conjur - The Declaratory Appeals filed by defendants acquitted in the trial of Criminal Action 470, the mensalão case, by the Supreme Federal Court, may increase the number of appeals expected by the court's ministers regarding the lengthy trial that occupied the court in the second half of 2012. This information comes from a report published in Tuesday's (February 12th) edition of the Correio Braziliense newspaper.
Appeals against convictions and acquittals must be filed after the publication of the judgment, which is expected to occur in March. Only the rapporteur, the president of the court, Minister Joaquim Barbosa, has completed the drafting of his part; the work of the other ministers is still pending. Only then will the lawyers be able to file the appeals.
In addition to the 25 convicted, the defendants acquitted by the Supreme Federal Court (STF) intend to have their innocence recognized, according to Tuesday's edition of Correio Braziliense. The acquittals were due to lack of evidence, so the lawyers for the acquitted defendants are expected to request a review of the decision so that the acquittal is declared based on proof of innocence.