A bipartisan group of Texas lawmakers has come out in assist of a mom on demise row for killing her daughter, asking that the girl’s execution be delayed or canceled resulting from “new proof.”
The 83 Texas legislators signed a letter in assist of Melissa Lucio, who’s scheduled to be executed by deadly injection on April 27 for the demise of her toddler daughter, in keeping with the Texas Division of Legal Justice.
The 2-year-old lady, Mariah, died from blunt power trauma in 2007, stories the Texas Tribune.
Lucio was questioned by cops after investigators found a chunk mark together with scratches and bruises on the lady’s physique.
Throughout police interrogation, Lucio admitted to biting and spanking Mariah. Cameron County prosecutors used that assertion to safe a conviction despite the fact that the mom of 14 kids insisted the demise was an accident.
Of their letter, 83 Republican and Democrat members of the Texas Home of Representatives requested the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles to contemplate “new proof” that exhibits against the law was by no means dedicated.
“Mariah died after a tragic accident moderately than an intentional capital homicide,” the letter states with out specifying what the brand new proof is. “Ms. Lucio’s case is one that offers even the strongest demise penalty proponents amongst us pause.”
The Innocence Undertaking of Texas, a part of Lucio’s protection crew, claims Mariah fell down the steps a couple of days earlier than her demise on the household’s Harlingen, Texas condo.
Lawmakers cite the sentencing disparities between Lucio and her husband, who additionally went to jail after Mariah’s demise.
“In contrast to Ms. Lucio, who had no documented historical past of violence in the direction of her kids, her husband had a historical past of assaultive conduct however is now a free man after serving a four-year sentence for youngster 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 family or positioned in youngster protecting providers, in keeping with the Texas Tribune. One in every of her sons spoke at a rally in Austin over the weekend, asking for clemency.
“She’s an incredible mom. She’s not an ideal mom. All of us have imperfections. Half of me believes that she’s already saved, however then there’s additionally that different half that’s scary nonetheless,” her son John advised KXAN.
If the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles agrees to a keep of execution or a distinct sentence, it will nonetheless be as much as Gov. Greg Abbott to simply accept the advice. The governor can even delay an execution for 30 days with out a advice by the parole board.
If executed, Lucio could be the primary Hispanic girl to be put to demise by Texas.
