August 22, 2005; Rosa Jimenez, 22, in court on August 22, 2005. Photo by Laura Skelding/American-Statesmen - USA TODAY Network
In 2005, a toddler in Rosa’s care choked on wadded up paper towels and later died. Rosa was convicted of murder, but leading pediatric experts who reviewed the case have found that the expert testimony used by the state to convict Rosa was faulty, and all of the evidence points to this being an accident.
Rosa has always maintained her innocence and since her trial, top experts and judges have also concluded that she did not have a fair trial and is likely innocent. In the fall, a district judge overturned her murder conviction and ordered a new trial, giving the prosecution until February 25, 2020, to retry or release Rosa.
But the state is fighting to keep Rosa in prison and is appealing the decision — a process that could take years. Rosa’s health is at risk, and she doesn’t have much time to spend waiting. Travis County District Attorney Margaret Moore could act to end this injustice today.
The Innocence Project exonerates the wrongly convicted through DNA testing and reforms the criminal justice system to prevent future injustice. www.innocenceproject.org
