Judge Susana Mão de Ferro intends to schedule for the second week of September the continuation of the investigation phase of the Monte tragedy case. The magistrate notified yesterday the lawyers of the defendants (Paulo Cafôfo, Idalina Perestrelo and Francisco Andrade) and of the victims who intend to carry out due diligence in the week of 7-11 September and the instructive debate on the following 14th.
It is recalled that the process is related to the fall of a tree in the middle of the feast of Nossa Senhora do Monte that occurred on August 15, 2017, which caused the death of 13 people and injuries to dozens of people. During the investigation, the ex-mayor of Funchal, Paulo Cafôfo, councillor Idalina Perestrelo and head of the division of the green spaces Francisco Andrade, was accused, but the prosecutor would only bring charges against the last two, for the crimes of homicide for negligence and offence to the negligence of physical integrity. The two accused defendants requested the opening of instruction, as well as victims and family members who intend to bring the ex-mayor to trial.