De Menezes mother 'reborn'
Updated on 12 December 2008
The mother of Jean Charles de Menezes said she felt "reborn" after today's open verdict. The dead man's family expected a verdict of an unlawful killing and vowed to "carry on the struggle."
Maria Otone de Menezes was told of the inquest jury's decision when campaigners left a message with neighbours on a farm near her home in Brazil.
"I am very happy with the verdict," she said. Speaking at a press conference hosted by the Justice4Jean campaign, she said: "Since the moment the coroner ruled out unlawful killing, I was feeling very sad. But today I feel reborn."
Mr de Menezes's cousin, Patricia da Silva, said his mother was "relieved".
"She was very afraid the decision would be against our interests," she said via a translator. "I can say she is probably relieved now. An unlawful verdict was what we were expecting. After the verdict that we had today I can only say that we will carry on with the struggle."
