Verdict Set for 17 June in Trial of Brazilian Man Accused of Stabbing Death of 19-Year-Old Student

The trial over the murder of 19-year-old Manuel "Manu" Gonçalves, originally from Pas de la Casa, has concluded proceedings in Portugal's Guimarães court, with a verdict now set for 17 June.

The case stems from an altercation in the early hours of 12 April 2025 outside Bar Académico at Braga's University of Minho. Prosecutors accuse 27-year-old Brazilian national Mateus Marley Machado of qualified homicide, alleging he inflicted three fatal stab wounds on Gonçalves after the victim alerted bouncers that Machado's group was attempting to spike women's drinks inside the bar. The confrontation escalated onto the street, where witnesses—including a friend of Gonçalves—described seeing Machado wield the knife. Machado has remained in preventive detention since his arrest that month while trying to flee Portugal; Braga's criminal court has since extended the measure due to flight risk.

In Friday's closing arguments, the prosecutor demanded a sentence "proportional to the gravity of the facts," describing the attack as "inhuman and cruel" and seeking conviction on the charge, which carries 16 to 25 years under Portuguese law. The prosecution highlighted evidence of premeditation and reinforced its case through key witness testimonies identifying Machado as the attacker.

Machado's defence team, however, called for outright acquittal, arguing a lack of conclusive proof placing their client at the scene. As alternatives, they requested reclassification as privileged homicide or mere participation in a brawl. Lawyers previously challenged eyewitness reliability via expert reports, noting no DNA from Machado or others on the weapon, which they suggested had been cleaned. They also mounted repeated bids to disqualify the three-judge panel—including the lead judge and prosecutor—citing alleged bias from a separate case involving defence counsel. Higher courts rejected these moves, as did Gonçalves's family lawyers and the public ministry, who labelled them dilatory tactics.

With all testimony heard and submissions complete, the panel has closed the case for sentencing.