Brazilian rancher convicted, sentenced for 2005 murder of American nun

September 23, 2013

A wealthy Brazilian rancher has been convicted—for the 3rd time—of ordering the murder of an American-born nun.

Sister Dorothy Stang, an activist who had led opposition to the seizure of native lands by corporate developers, was killed in 2005. Vitalmiro Bastos de Moura was convicted in 2007 for arranging the killing. He won a new trial, and was acquitted, but that verdict was overturned by an appeals court. In 2010 he was convicted again, but that verdict too was overturned.

Moura has been sentenced to a 30-year prison term. The gunman who carried out the killing was released earlier this year after serving less one one-third of a 28-year sentence.

 

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Further information:

• Brazilian rancher found guilty of ordering murder of nun (Catholic Herald)
• Brazilian killer of American-born nun gains early release from prison (CWN, 7/5)