Fernando Valente has been under house arrest for almost six months
Fernando Valente – principal suspect in the presumed murder of Mónica Silva, the 33-year-old seven-months’ pregnant mother of two who disappeared from Murtosa, in the district of Aveiro, nearly six months ago – must be charged by May 15, explain reports. This will be the six-month ‘cut off point’ by which the law does not allow for any further measures of preventive custody without formal charges.
The greatest question in this case is how to ‘prove’ guilt: there is no body; there is no proof even that Mónica Silva has died (beyond the fact that she left two young children waiting for her to return home; has not accessed her bank account/ mobile phone or seemingly made contact with anyone who knows her).
The mystery is further complicated by the wealth of accusations made by Mónica Silva’s vociferous family against Fernando Valente.
Tabloid Correio da Manhã is the one newspaper that has been ‘following this story’ at every bizarre, and ultimately ‘worthless’, twist and turn.
Tonight it will be carrying a new report: “Mónica: Fatal Silence” at 9.30pm, but in the meantime, it maintains that Fernando Valente will be charged, and will be tried “by the end of the year”, most likely by a jury of peers – irrespective of whether Mónica Silva’s remains are discovered.
Right now, Valente – believed to be the father of Ms Silva’s unborn child – faces accusations of qualified homicide, the profaning and hiding of a corpse and ‘aggravated abortion’.
He risks 25 years behind bars, says CM. (But ‘risking’ and having irrefutable evidence against him that will secure a condemnation is the big issue here.)
