John,
In 2008, Melissa Lucio, a Mexican-American mom from the Rio Grande Valley, was wrongfully convicted and sentenced to death after her 2-year-old daughter, Mariah, died following an accidental fall. Melissa is facing execution on April 27, because of a biased and inadequate death investigation. The medical examiner, who declared Mariah’s death a homicide, did not consider Mariah’s extensive medical history, including a history of accidental head trauma. Mariah had a physical disability that made her unstable when walking. She fell frequently, one time even losing consciousness while at her preschool program.
Texas law enforcement and prosecutors rushed to judgment. Former Cameron County District Attorney Armando Villalobos, who was running for re-election and seeking a “win” by prosecuting Melissa, is currently serving a 13-year federal prison sentence for bribery and extortion. Melissa’s attorney had no experience trying a capital case.
There is simply too much doubt in this case, and we must stop Texas from committing an irreversible injustice before it’s too late.
We put together this list of the articles that we’ve posted so far and news coverage of her case, so that you can easily find all the information you need in one place. Take a look below, and learn how you can take action.
Add Your Name to Stop the Execution
Melissa faces execution in less than 51 days for a crime that never occurred. We’re doing everything we can to help stop this from happening, but we need your help. If you haven’t already, sign the petition calling on Texas not to execute an innocent person. We have a goal of reaching 100,000 signatures.
Add your name:
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9 Key Facts About the Case
With Melissa’s execution date less than 51 days away, here are nine things we think everyone needs to know about her case. Read through the facts, and then share this article with your friends and family online:
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Who Is Melissa Lucio?
If you want a more in-depth look into Melissa’s story and her case for innocence, read through this feature piece, which lays out a timeline of everything that happened on the day of Mariah’s death, and the miscarriage of justice that followed. Take a look now:
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Melissa in the News
Last Week Tonight with John Oliver: Wrongful Convictions and Melissa Lucio
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The Intercept: Is Texas Sending Melissa Lucio to Die for a Crime That Never Happened?
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Newsweek: Melissa Lucio's Attorneys Seek to Halt Her Texas Execution:
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The Marshall Project: How Melissa Lucio Went From Abuse Survivor to Death Row:
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Texas Public Radio: Melissa Lucio Could Soon Become the First Latina Executed in Texas Despite Serious Concerns About Her Case:
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Brownsville Herald: Op-ed: Do Not Execute Lucio:
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Purchase Your Save Melissa Merch
Want to wear your support on your sleeve? You can purchase Save Melissa Lucio t-shirts and masks in both English and Spanish. Get your merch now.
Shop now:
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The Innocence Project works to free the innocent, prevent wrongful convictions, and create fair, compassionate, and equitable systems of justice for everyone. Founded in 1992 by Barry C. Scheck and Peter J. Neufeld at the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law at Yeshiva University, the organization is now an independent nonprofit. Our work is guided by science and grounded in antiracism.
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