Covid inquiry brings Marielle murder back into the spotlight

When the Senate’s Covid hearings began in mid-April, we warned readers that the probe would be less about holding Jair Bolsonaro responsible for his alleged pandemic wrongdoings and more about political theater. Though the inquiry has the power to request indictments and scrutinize telephone and banking records of those under investigation, the hearings have so far played host to political actors playing to the gallery — especially with campaigning season just around the corner. 

That theatrical dimension was as clear as ever on Wednesday, when recently impeached Rio de Janeiro Governor Wilson Witzel took the stand.

The disgraced politician — ousted for allegedly siphoning money earmarked for the coronavirus fight — was not legally obliged to show up. As he is targeted by a separate investigation, Mr. Witzel was given the right to skip the deposition and was not bound to perjury laws. In Brazil, defendants have the right not to produce evidence against themselves and can lie on the stand.

In a quest to drag his name out of the mud, Mr. Witzel went on a tirade against President Jair Bolsonaro, claiming the country is “under a far-right Chavist regime” and insinuating the head of state was involved in the 2018 assassination of Rio de Janeiro city councilor Marielle Franco.

Mr. Witzel denied any wrongdoing during his brief stint as governor, calling his impeachment a “political hit job” orchestrated by Mr. Bolsonaro. “All of this started because I ordered a thorough investigation into...