Cameron County DA, attorney's issue statement on Melissa Lucio case update

2 weeks ago 38

CAMERON COUNTY, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Cameron County District Attorney's Office and the legal team of Melissa Lucio issued a joint statement regarding new details in the Harlingen death row inmate's case.

Lucio's execution was delayed in 2022 amid growing doubts that she fatally beat her 2-year-old daughter. According to prosecutors in the case, Lucio had evidence suppressed during the time of her murder trial that could have helped her case.

The joint statement released by Cameron County District Attorney Luis Saenz and Lucio’s attorneys reads as follows:

“On April 25, 2022, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals (CCA) issued a stay of execution for Melissa Lucio. The CCA ordered the 138th Judicial District Court of Cameron County to consider new evidence of Melissa’s innocence in the death of her daughter, Mariah Alvarez, along with other claims regarding the fairness and reliability of her conviction. Following the CCA’s remand and in response to the Court’s directive, the Cameron County District Attorney’s Office undertook further review of Melissa’s case.”

“On January 11, 2023, the parties submitted Agreed Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law
to the trial court. This joint filing acknowledges that Melissa’s legal team did not have access
to information favorable to her defense at the time of trial, thereby entitling her to habeas
corpus relief from her conviction and sentence.”

“The Agreed Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law are under review by the trial court.
Under Texas procedure the trial court must make a recommendation to the CCA which is the
only court that can vacate a conviction. We are hopeful that Melissa’s case will be resolved.”

DA Saenz declined any comment on the case beyond his joint statement with Lucio's attorney's.

ValleyCentral reached out to Sabrina Van Tassel, director of the documentary about Lucio titled The State of Texas vs. Melissa. Tassel said her team and all those who support Lucio have been waiting for an announcement like this for two years.

Tassel encourages the Texas Governor Greg Abbott to watch the documentary, stating that though it may be unconventional to learn about the case through a streaming service, there is too much doubt depicted to punish Lucio to death.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.