Delton Gomes da Mota, a 20 year old Brazilian national, was murdered by two militaty police officers in Sao Paolo. The officers were searching for a drug trafficker and opened fire into a group of young men. Mr. da Mota retreated and the placement of his wounds—head and chest—indicated to the Commission the crime of homicide and a violation of his right to life. The Commission also cited the procedural violations of effective judicial protection by the marked delays and overall State disinterest in proceeding with the prosecution of the officers.
Citation: Cavalcanti et al v Peru (Report) IACHR (19 April 2001) Report No. 55/01