Lawyers for the sole Latina on Texas' death row filed a clemency petition ahead of her planned execution next month, presenting evidence they say indicates she was wrongfully convicted and that 4 jurors at her trial now question their guilty finding.
on death row across the United States, according to the nonpartisan Death Penalty Information Center.On Feb. 17, 2007, Lucio and her husband, Robert Antonio Alvarez, were in the process of moving homes in south Texas when Mariah fell down a flight of stairs, according to court filings.
In the filing for clemency, Lucio's attorneys included what they say is new forensic evidence that the jury did not hear. It also detailed how seven nationally recognized experts, including scientists and forensic specialists, who reviewed the case concluded that she was convicted on"unscientific" and"false" evidence, and an unreliable confession that was"essentially a mere 'regurgitation' of facts and words officers fed to her.
Her lawyers said that Lucio had been the victim of sexual abuse since she was 6 and of domestic violence by two partners, which made her"extremely vulnerable and susceptible" to being interrogated by male police officers. "Based on the current research and literature showing how trauma survivors cope with violence, Melissa was not given the opportunity to access community resources and specialized victim services that would have changed the outcome for Melissa and her children," Lopez said, adding,"This is not how we would support survivors of violence today."for his part in a bribery and extortion scheme."If she was executed ...
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