TV Personality
The Resume
(August 12, 1958-July 27, 2010)
Born in Manaus, Brazil
Former police officer/TV presenter/politician/criminal
Hosted 'Canal Livre,' an investigative journalism show focusing on crime
Served in the Amazonas state assembly (1998-2009)
Arrested on charges of murder, drug trafficking, possession of illegal firearms, witness intimidation and forming a criminal gang (October, 2009)
Died of a heart attack before going on trial
Why he might be annoying
He was accused of hiring hitmen to commit at least five murders.
According to police, the killings had three motives: (1) improved ratings for 'Canal Livre'; (2) eliminating rivals to his own drug trafficking; (3) increase public fear of crime to fuel his campaign to become Secretary of Security for Amazonas.
Police became suspicious because his show's reporters kept showing up at crime scenes ahead of the police and reporting details of the murders before there had been any investigation.
He reportedly threatened prosecutors and police who searched his house.
His son was also arrested for murder and drug trafficking.
Because he had political immunity, he could not be arrested until the state assembly expelled him.
Usually when someone in show biz says, 'I'd kill for ratings like that,' they don't mean it literally.
Why he might not be annoying
'Canal Livre' was the top-rated program in Manaus.
He claimed he beat the police to murder scenes because he had better sources: 'The police are incompetent. A lot of times, they can't even determine blood types.'
It puts American tabloid TV in perspective: say what you will about (for example) Geraldo Rivera, he has yet to kill someone to boost his ratings.
Credit: C. Fishel
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Year In Review:
For 2010, as of last week, Out of 126 Votes: 65.87% Annoying
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