Paulo César Santos was convicted of the murder of the arrocha singer in Bahia in April 2025. Reproduction/TV Gazeta The man suspected of murdering arrocha singer Josemar Xavier Pereira, in April 2025, was sentenced to 15 years in prison this Wednesday (17). Paulo César Santos underwent trial at the Itabela District Forum, in the extreme south of Bahia, where the crime took place. According to information obtained by TV Santa Cruz, a TV Bahia affiliate in the region, the trial began at 9 am and ended around 7 pm. To g1, the defendant's defense lawyer, Rafael Rosa, informed that he will appeal the decision, as well as the sentence imposed by the Court. The murder of the 38-year-old singer, known in the region as Jô Xavier, occurred on April 27 last year, in the Bandeirantes neighborhood. According to witness reports, the victim and the suspect, who acted as a municipal guard, got involved in an argument. Investigations indicate that the disagreement between the two was related to the suspect's ex-partner, who was dating the victim at the time. During the argument, Paulo César allegedly shot the singer. He fled the scene after the crime and was considered a fugitive for almost a month, until he was arrested in Espírito Santo. Jô Xavier's death caused commotion in Itabela, where he was known for performing at local establishments. Josemar Xavier Pereira was shot dead during an argument. Reproduction/Social Media At the time, the city council lamented the murder, highlighting that the case did not compromise the Municipal Guard. Paulo César Santos worked at the institution for 16 years and had his work suspended after the case. READ ALSO: Suspect of killing ex-partner is arrested in Bahia; man had been on the run for almost five years Public servant is convicted after amputating his own foot to receive compensation of R$1.5 million from insurance companies in Bahia Porsche valued at R$800,000 falls into stream after driver loses control of steering in Salvador Arrocha singer is shot dead after argument in Bahia Reproduction/Social Media See more state news on g1 Bahia. Watch videos from g1 and TV Bahia 💻