'Ghost' helps acquit murder suspect

'Ghost' helps acquit murder suspect

Two letters said to be dictated by a ghost helped acquit a woman of murder in Brazil.

The letters, written by a medium who claimed they were from the victim, were used as evidence in a murder trial in Viamao.

The medium claimed the spirit had revealed that the woman accused of his murder was innocent.

A jury declared Iara Marques Barcelos, 63 not guilty of the killing Ercy da Silva Cardoso.

Mr Cardoso was shot dead in his home in 2003. Mrs Barcelos was accused because she was the victim's lover and was angry he wanted to leave her.

The defence lawyer told Folha de Sao Paulo: "The letters were a low blow and they were decisive to the verdict."

A court spokesman said the letters were accepted as evidence because the prosecution lawyers made no objection.