In This Case, He Killed an Innocent Person

Carla Bessa
Translated by Elton Uliana

(A tragedy in one act)

Readers’ chorus

What happened?

Media chorus

A renowned businessman was arrested unexpectedly early this Friday, after an accident in which he ran over and killed a workman in the South Zone of Rio. According to the chief of police, the driver will be charged with manslaughter (where there is no intention of killing) and drunk driving.

Readers’ chorus

Manslaughter? What do you mean, guilty but not intentional?

Media chorus

A police officer and two firefighters who rescued the driver stated, in deposition, that the driver refused to cooperate, he was visibly altered, and his breath stank of alcohol. The police also stated that at no time was the driver concerned about the victim.

Fireman

At no time was the driver concerned about the victim.

Readers’ chorus

What do you mean, guilty but not intentional?

Media chorus

The businessman is the son of a famous plastic surgeon.

Readers’ and Media chorus

(Silence)

Passerby

What happened?

Media chorus

The fireman said: “He didn’t even ask about the victim.”

Another passerby

What happened?

Media chorus

The victim’s brother said: “He was a workman. He had a wife and two children. His wife doesn’t have a job, she has no means of providing for the family. What’s going to happen? How is she going to survive?”

Readers’ chorus

What’s going to happen? How is she going to survive?

Media chorus

The driver’s lawyer said: “We don’t have the full details of what happened yet. What we do know is that it was raining a lot at the time of the accident, as you can see in the pictures.”

Readers’ chorus

What do you mean by raining?

Media chorus

The driver’s sister said: “It was raining a lot, the car skidded and ended up on the pavement. Somebody was run over.”

Passerby

Oh, I see! You mean the accident happened because of the rain?!

Readers’ chorus

If the driver were black and poor, it would be murder, but, as always, money speaks louder in this country!

Media chorus

The man left work at half past ten at night. He was standing at the traffic lights, waiting, when the car mounted the pavement at high speed. The doctors tried to amputate his leg; however, he did not survive. The driver’s family said that they deeply regret what has happened.

Readers’ chorus (outraged)

The driver’s family said that they deeply regret what has happened!!!!

A fireman

He didn’t ask about the victim’s condition. He only asked about the state of his car.

Media chorus

The brother of the victim said: “My brother was on the pavement. I will not let this go!”

Passerby

As always, money speaks louder in this country!

Police officer

He stank of alcohol.

Passerby

He was drunk and ran over a hardworking young man!

Chief of Police

In theory, whoever accumulates twenty points in twelve months has their driver’s license suspended. Despite already having more than twenty points, he continued driving.

Readers’ Chorus

In theory!

Passerby (outraged)

It’s not fair, a poor person who steals a packet of biscuits is sent straight to prison and suffers the most serious charges and mistreatment! Now, a rich person or the son of a rich person …

Readers’ Chorus (outraged)

The victim was a hardworking young man! He had just finished his shift. If the driver were poor, he would be charged with intentional murder, but because he is a rich kid …

Another passerby

He’s the son of one of the most famous doctors, but he is also a human being like everyone else. It’s up to the court to judge.

Readers’ Chorus and Passerby Chorus (outraged)

This case will go nowhere! This case will go nowhere! This case will go nowhere!

Media chorus

A witness said: “In my opinion, any driver, whoever it is, after drinking alcohol and taking over the steering wheel of a car, takes the risk of running someone over. And in this case, he killed an innocent person.

All

(Silence)

Media chorus

Another witness said: “It is indeed a very problematic situation.”

Chief of Police (outraged)

The driver’s records at the Department of Transport are twenty-three pages long, with seventy fines applied in the last five years, which amounts to more than 240 points on the driver’s license. Of these total number of fines, fourteen are for drunk driving.

Readers’ Chorus (outraged)

Fourteen fines for drunk driving! How is that possible?

Another passerby

I wonder what any father would say. Let alone his father, a distinguished citizen, a celebrated doctor who has nothing to do with the irresponsible behavior of his son. I think the media has no right to interfere in his family business.

Media chorus

The businessman is the son of a famous surgeon!

Passerby

Why didn’t he take a taxi instead of driving drunk?

Readers’ Chorus (outraged)

Why didn’t he take a taxi?

Another passerby

Ah, so now the driver’s father is the one to blame!? And life for the dead man’s family will never be the same again. When the wife comes back home, there is no more home!

Readers’ chorus

“That’s where the news lacks accuracy!”

Media Chorus

A court case has been filed.

All (outraged)

He drank, he drove, and he killed … Obviously he took the risk … So, it’s murder!

Another passerby

Accidents happen, we all feel sorry for both parties involved. However, because the guy has a famous father, he is being subjected to public disgrace by the authorities. The media is abusing its power, destroying people’s reputations, and, in turn, selling more newspapers. As simple as that!

Readers’ chorus

I have always admired his father, the doctor, but unfortunately …

Another passerby

Yes, my dear doctor, life is like that, and we all need to learn. Pay the price with your head held high. If you make a mistake, you must pay.

Chief of Police

If you make a mistake, you must pay.

Police officer

If you make a mistake, you must pay.

A fireman

If you make a mistake, you must pay.

All

If you make a mistake, you must pay.

Media chorus

One week after running over a workman and killing him, the son of a renowned surgeon is released on bail after paying a hundred thousand Reais.