The sentence was given on March 29, 2004, but since this case has been kept in secrecy by the court, it is only now being announced. Lira’s defense attorney appealed the ruling. The other person accused of being involved in the murder, Alexandre Aparecido Silvério, has still not been brought to trial. Both had taken part in a robbery of a gas station in front of a camp ground where Costa was taking pictures for Época magazine. While fleeing, Lira tried to grab Costa’s camera, probably thinking he photographed the robbery. Since he couldn’t get the camera from him, he shot him.