The trial of Jairo Souza Santos Júnior, known as Dr. Jairinho, and Monique Medeiros took a new turn on Monday with the testimony of forensic expert Leonardo Tauil from the Institute of Legal Medicine (IML). Responsible for the forensic reports in the Henry Borel case, the forensic expert stated to the jury that he found no furniture or objects in the apartment where the child was before being taken to the hospital that could explain one of the main injuries identified in the autopsy.
According to Tauil, the investigation team conducted a detailed inspection of the property located in Barra da Tijuca, in the West Zone of Rio, after questions arose about the possibility that Henry had suffered an accidental fall that resulted in the liver laceration found by the forensic examination.
Expert analysis rules out the possibility of a domestic accident.
During questioning conducted by Jairinho's defense, the expert explained that the analysis of the apartment was specifically aimed at verifying if there was any element that could justify the injuries observed on the boy's body.
According to Tauil, the team's conclusion was based both on the inspection of the site and on references from medical literature. The specialist stated that no object or piece of furniture compatible with a liver injury of the severity found in Henry as a result of an accidental fall was identified.
The statement reinforces one of the main points argued by the prosecution throughout the trial: that the injuries were not caused by a domestic accident.
Monique leaves the plenary session during the showing of images.
The testimony was also marked by a moment of strong emotion. During the presentation of photographs taken during Henry's autopsy, shown by Jairinho's defense, Monique Medeiros left the courtroom.
This was the second time the defendant had left the room during technical discussions about her son's death. The previous week, she had already left during the testimony of expert Luiz Carlos Leal Prestes, who detailed the various injuries found on the child's body.
The images were shown by lawyer Zanone Júnior during questioning directed at the forensic expert responsible for the case's reports.
Trial enters final phase
Leonardo Tauil's testimony took place on the eighth day of the jury trial and is part of the final stage of the procedural instruction phase. The expert is among the last witnesses summoned before the conclusion of the testimonies.
After this stage, the schedule calls for the questioning of the defendants, Monique Medeiros and Dr. Jairinho, which should take place between Tuesday and Wednesday. Following that, the prosecution and defense will present their final arguments to the jury.
Henry Borel died in March 2021, at the age of 4. The Public Prosecutor's Office accuses Jairinho of aggravated homicide and maintains that Monique was aware of the abuse suffered by her son. Both deny the accusations.
Throughout the trial, the prosecution has argued that the child was the victim of repeated assaults inside the apartment where she lived with her mother and then-stepfather. The defense, however, seeks to contest the investigation's conclusions and the expert reports that support the accusation.
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