Brazilian landowner on trial in nun murder case

A Brazilian rancher went on trial yesterday accused of ordering the murder of US-born nun and activist Dorothy Stang in a test case of justice in the lawless Amazon.

Vitalmiro Bastos Moura is accused of hiring the gunmen who shot Sister Dorothy, a 74-year-old Ohio native, on a remote track in the Amazon jungle in February 2005.

She had lived for more than 20 years in the small town of Anapu in Para state helping peasants threatened by illegal loggers and ranchers and fighting against the destruction of the rain forest.

She was shot six times and left lying in the mud by hired killers. The gunman, his accomplice and one intermediary have already been convicted.

Mr Moura has denied the charges. His jury trial, taking place in the state capital Belem at the mouth of the River Amazon, is viewed by many as a test case for Brazil's justice system as it is rare for landowners to stand trial for ordering killings.

"We have hope but we also have the experience that the justice system here in the state of Para has not worked when it comes to the 'mandantes', to those who ordered the murder," said the nun's brother, David Stang.

"There is no proof in the history of Para that there is justice," he said.

Outside the courthouse, a group of Mr Stang's friends carried wooden crosses, sang and prayed for a just verdict.

Her brother, who travelled here from the US for the trial, criticised the government's lack of control over the rain forest.

"He (Moura) has his cattle on the land and in this trial right now he says the land belongs to him. So who is more powerful? Who controls the Amazon?" he said.

Violent conflicts are common in the Amazon, where illegal loggers, ranchers and miners use fake land titles and strong-arm tactics to claim new land.

Weak policing and a chaotic judicial system have made it hard for Brazil to control the continent-sized forest, much of which is accessible only by river boat.