Goalkeeper convicted of killing ex-girlfriend

In a trial that made front-page headlines across Brazil, the jury of five women and two men in Minas Gerais found Bruno guilty of ordering the killing of model Eliza Samudio, whose body has never been found amid allegations that she was dismembered and her remains were fed to dogs.

Bruno also was convicted of holding hostage their young son.

Defense lawyers told local media they already expected a conviction but would appeal.

The goalkeeper had already been convicted of kidnapping Samudio and forcing her to terminate her pregnancy. He was serving a prison sentence of four years and six months in that case. After a court dispute, Samudio's mother was named the child's guardian.

"I expected more," the model's mother, Eliza Silva Samudio, told local media after Friday's sentence. "They made it easy on him."

The judge said Bruno's sentence was reduced because of his confession. According to Brazilian law, he could be allowed some freedom in about three or four years, depending on his behavior in prison. No one can serve more than 30 years in prison in Brazil.

The 28-year-old Bruno was captain of the Flamengo team that won the Brazilian league title in 2009, and was touted to move to European football and even contend for a spot in the Brazil national team.

"These crimes received a lot of attention not only because one of the defendants was a famous football player, but also because of the plot that they involved, and because of the mystery of where the victim's remains were hidden," said the sentence read by judge Marixa Fabiane Lopes Rodrigues.