Justice Revisited: New Evidence May Clear Melissa Lucio In 2008 Capital Murder Case [Video]

Reexamining a Death Sentence: The Melissa Lucio Case

In a dramatic turn of events, the fate of Melissa Lucio, who was sentenced to death in 2008 for the murder of her two-year-old daughter Mariah Alvarez, is being reconsidered. A Brownsville district judge is now reviewing Lucio’s conviction following revelations that crucial evidence which could have favored her defense was not disclosed during her trial.

Background of the Case

Melissa Lucio was convicted of capital murder in July 2008 after the death of her daughter, who was found unconscious and later died from injuries that an autopsy revealed included trauma to various parts of her body. The defense argued that the child’s death was accidental, resulting from a fall, not the result of abuse by Lucio.

Legal Developments

In a significant legal development, the Court of Criminal Appeals granted a …