Brazilian crime show host accused in killings
Last Updated: Friday, October 9, 2009 | 2:59 PM ET
CBC News
A former Brazilian TV show host and state legislator has been jailed, accused of commissioning killings to boost ratings for his show.
Wallace Souza is being held in the jungle city of Manaus on homicide and drug trafficking charges. Souza turned himself in after authorities spent four days looking for him.
One of the judges who issued the warrants for Souza called him the "mentor" of a gang that killed drug traffickers.
While Brazilian laws usually protect legislators from arrest, a legislative committee of the Amazonas state government ousted Souza from his post last week.
He is under investigation over five killings that were featured on his crime show Canal Livre, which ran from the 1980s until late 2008. The show folded as police intensified their investigation into Souza.
Authorities claim the killings eliminated drug rivals and boosted ratings for his show. Souza has repeatedly claimed he is not guilty.
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