Texas mother set to be put to death next month gains support
A bipartisan group of Texas lawmakers has come out in support of a mother on death row for killing her daughter, asking that the girl’s execution be delayed or canceled due to “new evidence.”
The 83 Texas legislators signed a letter in support of Melissa Lucio, who’s scheduled to be executed by deadly injection on April 27 for the death of her toddler daughter, according to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
The two-year-old woman, Mariah, died from blunt drive trauma in 2007, reports the Texas Tribune.
Lucio was questioned by cops after investigators found a chew mark together with scratches and bruises on the woman’s physique.
During police interrogation, Lucio admitted to biting and spanking Mariah. Cameron County prosecutors used that assertion to safe a conviction although the mother of 14 kids insisted the death was an accident.
In their letter, 83 Republican and Democrat members of the Texas House of Representatives requested the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles to take into account “new evidence” that exhibits a criminal offense was by no means dedicated.
“Mariah died after a tragic accident rather than an intentional capital murder,” the letter states with out specifying what the brand new proof is. “Ms. Lucio’s case is one that gives even the strongest death penalty proponents among us pause.”
The Innocence Project of Texas, a part of Lucio’s protection group, claims Mariah fell down the steps just a few days earlier than her death on the household’s Harlingen, Texas residence.
Lawmakers cite the sentencing disparities between Lucio and her husband, who additionally went to jail after Mariah’s death.
“Unlike Ms. Lucio, who had no documented history of violence towards her children, her husband had a history of assaultive behavior but is now a free man after serving a four-year sentence for child endangerment,” write the politicians.
Lucio’s remaining kids, together with twins who had been born whereas she was in jail, have been despatched to stay with relations or positioned in little one protecting companies, in accordance to the Texas Tribune. One of her sons spoke at a rally in Austin over the weekend, asking for clemency.
“She’s a great mother. She’s not a perfect mother. We all have imperfections. Half of me believes that she’s already saved, but then there’s also that other half that is scary still,” her son John told KXAN.
If the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles agrees to a keep of execution or a distinct sentence, it could nonetheless be up to Gov. Greg Abbott to settle for the advice. The governor also can delay an execution for 30 days with out a advice by the parole board.
If executed, Lucio would be the primary Hispanic lady to be put to death by Texas.
