Brazil's top court postpones decision on key justice de Moraes ahead of October elections

BRASILIA, Brazil (AP) — Brazil’s Supreme Court suspended deliberations Tuesday in a case revolving around one of its justices that is shaking the run-up to the country’s presidential election in October.

The court was set to decide on whether Justice Alexandre de Moraes, the man who led the trial against former President Jair Bolsonaro, should face an investigation in a graft case.

The session ended with the decision on de Moraes postponed possibly until mid-December.

That would put it off until well after the vote that is set to have President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Sen. Flávio Bolsonaro, the former president's son, as the most competitive candidates in what is expected to be a close election.

The two Supreme Court justices at the center of an unprecedented crisis at the top court are perceived as being at opposing ends of Brazil’s polarized political spectrum.

De Moraes is facing accusations raised by Justice André Mendonca, Bolsonaro appointee. The cases revolves around his connection to shuttered Banco Master, a case that has ensnared high-ranking politicians and judiciary members.

Mendonca unsealed documents last week showing that the head of Banco Master, Daniel Vorcaro, who is now in prison, sought legal advice from de Moraes as he was about to be arrested. The documents also showed the bank had a contract worth 130 million reais ($23 million) with the law firm of de Moraes’ wife.

Outside the court Tuesday, several dozen Bolsonaro supporters protested, calling for de Moraes to leave the court or be impeached by the Senate. Their presence waned as rain fell on capital Brasilia.

Many Brazilians spent their day glued to their TVs watching the heated discussions among justices, including friction between de Moraes and Mendonca.

In his remarks, de Moraes denied any wrongdoing. He also accused Mendonca of waging a vendetta against him for political reasons, prompting a brief shouting match between the two.

“(Mendonca) is working for a political group that tried to stage a coup in this country,” said de Moraes, who also accused his colleague of requesting the federal police to illegally investigate him and his family. Investigations into Brazilian Supreme Court justices must be authorized by the full court.

Mendonca denied the accusation and said he has acted following Supreme Court regulations.

To start the session, Chief Justice Luiz Edson Fachin read the federal police report previously unsealed by Mendonca. He said he scheduled Tuesday’s session to deal with “a difficult moment” for the court.

“Disagreements are legitimate. Personal confrontations are not,” Fachin said in his opening statements. “The decision is up to the full court, not a single justice.”

De Moraes argued that neither Brazil's federal police nor federal prosecutors had asked Mendonca to investigate him and the court should consider annulling the case against him.

That debate sparked angry exchanges among different justices, which led Justice Flávio Dino to ask for the review that led to postponing the decision.

“I have to stop this situation,” Dino said. “We don't have any condition to decide. This atmosphere can only get worse, and society is watching something different from what the law commands.”

The court did not consider Tuesday whether Mendonca overreached and investigated de Moraes illegally, a claim that de Moraes himself and legal experts have made recently.

Two of the 10 Supreme Court justices requested not to vote on the decision to probe de Moraes.

Kassio Nunes Marques, who heads Brazil’s electoral court, said his position does not allow him to take part in the decision, because its result could impact the campaign trail.

José Dias Toffoli, who previously stepped down from overseeing the Banco Master case because of his links to Vorcaro, also refused to vote. Toffoli once again denied any wrongdoing in his connection with the banker.

Justice Carmen Lúcia, the only woman on the court, tried to steer away from the spats, including some directed at Fachin, who was publicly accused by some of his colleagues of failing to protect the court as chief justice.

“I find myself, like perhaps many of my colleagues, in a state of deep dismay and sadness,” Lúcia said at the end of the session. “I am sad, not only because of the issue that brings us here, but also because this Supreme Court, the guardian of the Constitution, has caused civic unease among all Brazilian citizens in recent days.”

Savarese reported from Sao Paulo.

Follow AP’s coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america

A vendor holds up a T-shirt that reads in Portuguese: "Impeachment now! Out with Xandao," a nickname for Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, during a protest by supporters of presidential candidate Sen. Flavio Bolsonaro calling for Moraes' impwldeachment in Brasilia, Brazil, Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)

Boxes symbolizing money are displayed outside Congress to protest alleged corruption in the Supreme Court during a protest by supporters of presidential candidate Sen. Flavio Bolsonaro calling for the impeachment of Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes in Brasilia, Brazil, Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)

The Justice statue sits outside Brazil's Supreme Court as justices attend a plenary session in Brasilia, Brazil, Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)

Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes gives a thumbs-up during a plenary session of the court in Brasilia, Brazil, Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)

CHICAGO (AP) — Connor Bedard has been the central figure for the Chicago Blackhawks since he was selected with the No. 1 pick in the 2023 draft.

A capital “C” had been heading toward the front of his No. 98 jersey for a while.

Bedard was named the 37th captain of the Blackhawks on Tuesday, capping an eventful offseason that included a new contract and another shoulder injury. At 21 years, 60 days, he is the second-youngest captain in the history of the Original Six franchise behind Jonathan Toews.

“It's an incredible honor, something I don't take lightly,” Bedard said.

Chicago had gone without a captain since trading Nick Foligno to Minnesota in March. Foligno served as a mentor for Bedard and a wave of prospects that the Blackhawks hope will lead the team back into playoff contention.

Bedard said Foligno called him on Monday night and helped him pick out his clothes for Tuesday's press conference.

“My leadership style won't be the exact same as his, but just getting to kind of see how he handled a lot of the responsibilities and stuff,” Bedard said, “and not just him, we had so many guys in our room that I can look at. But he for sure had a big impact on myself and a lot of our young players.”

The long-expected move comes after Bedard agreed to a $75 million, five-year contract in July. Bedard is also recovering from left shoulder surgery on July 8.

Bedard, who missed 12 games after he hurt his right shoulder on Dec. 12, is expected to miss the start of the season after getting hurt while skating with a group of NHL players in western Canada.

“I'm on the ice doing kind of most of everything and just working in a bit more each day,” Bedard said. “Timeline-wise, I don't really know. It's kind of see as it progresses. But feeling good and just kind of doing everything I can to, like I said, get back as soon as possible.”

Bedard was 18 when he made his highly anticipated NHL debut in 2023. He was heralded as the new face of the Blackhawks, and he won the Calder Trophy as the league’s rookie of the year. He continued his steady improvement in his third season, setting career highs of 30 goals and 45 assists in 69 games.

General manager Kyle Davidson called Bedard “a natural-born leader.”

“He loves the game, he loves this city, he wants to be a leader of a group that brings winning back to Chicago,” Davidson said, “and we know he'll continue to strive to raise the bar for his teammates in how they work every day and how the show up in the city and in the community.”

Chicago went 29-39-14 last year, an 11-point improvement from the previous season and still nowhere near playoff contention. The franchise has finished No. 31 in the NHL each of the past three years.

The Blackhawks are seeking their first postseason appearance since the NHL used an expanded playoff format in the pandemic-affected 2019-20 season.

“The mindset is to win and to get back into the playoffs,” Bedard said. “This city and fan base is used to winning, and we want to bring that back.”

Chicago acquired defenseman Bo Byram in a June trade with Buffalo, and Patrick Kane returned to his first NHL home when he signed a $16 million, two-year contract in free agency. Kane and veteran forward Tyler Bertuzzi will serve as the alternate captains.

Kane, who turns 38 in November, said naming Bedard captain was a great decision.

“It’s been a really, really fun group to be around, and very high vibes, good vibes around everyone, and he’s the leader of that, right?” Kane said. “He leads the charge.”

Chicago is the second team with a vacancy to name a captain in as many days, following the New York Islanders giving the role to veteran center Bo Horvat. The Islanders opted for Horvat over 19-year-old face of the franchise and 2025 No. 1 pick Matthew Schaefer, who coach Peter DeBoer did say was considered among several possibilities.

“It shows you how special a kid he is that he was a consideration,” DeBoer said Monday.

San Jose is one of several teams without a captain and has yet to make a decision whether to put 20-year-old Macklin Celebrini into that role.

AP Hockey Writer Stephen Whyno contributed to this report.

See AP’s full NHL coverage here

In this photo taken with a smartphone, Chicago Blackhawks Chairman Danny Wirtz, from left, player Connor Bedard, general manager Kyle Davidson and head coach Jeff Blashill pose during a news conference introducing Bedard as the new captain of the NHL hockey club, Tuesday, Sept. 15. 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Jay Cohen)

In this photo taken with a smartphono, Chicago Blackhawks players, from left, Patrick Kane, Connor Bedard and Tyler Bertuzzi pose during a news conference introducing Bedard as the new captain of the NHL hockey club, Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Jay Cohen)

FILE - Chicago Blackhawks' Connor Bedard plays during an NHL hockey game Thursday, March 26, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum, File)