The Texas Courtroom of Legal Appeals halted Melissa Lucio's scheduled execution on Monday simply two days earlier than the Texas mother was to face the loss of life penalty for the loss of life of the 2-year-old daughter.
The courtroom despatched Lucio's case again to the trial courtroom in Cameron County, discovering that 4 of the claims made by her attorneys met the necessities wanted for the state to rethink her imprisonment.
Citing the state's use of false testimony that led to Lucio's conviction, beforehand unavailable scientific proof that will have prevented her conviction, the assertion that she is definitely harmless and that the state suppressed proof from the protection, the appeals courtroom blocked Wednesday's scheduled execution.
Lucio's case has garnered nationwide consideration since she was sentenced to loss of life in 2008 after her daughter Mariah fell down the steps and died two days later. Her execution could be the primary of a Hispanic lady in Texas.
The courtroom ruling got here simply minutes earlier than the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles was anticipated to vote on whether or not to advocate that Governor Greg Abbott delay Lucio's execution for at the very least 120 days—a delay that has garnered bipartisan assist even in a strongly divided state.
Greater than two-thirds of the Texas Senate and a majority of the Texas Home of Representatives—that are each Republican-controlled—have urged the parole board and governor to halt Lucio's execution. 5 former jurors within the case have additionally joined the calls.
By her attorneys on the Innocence Undertaking, Lucio launched an announcement on Monday in response to the courtroom ruling: "I'm grateful the courtroom has given me the prospect to dwell and show my innocence."
Lucio's attorneys have argued that not solely was she coerced right into a false confession after hours of police interrogations on the day of her daughter's loss of life, however that new proof would present her daughter's accidents had been attributable to the autumn.
Through the trial, prosecutors portrayed Lucio to be an abusive mom by utilizing the "confession" and thus, they argued she was accountable for the toddler's accidents.
Advocates calling for her to be exonerated have identified that the jury didn't hear testimony from psychological well being professionals who may have offered perception as to how Lucio's lengthy historical past as a sufferer of sexual abuse and home violence would make her susceptible to giving a false confession.
Replace 4/25/22 3:30 p.m. ET: This story has been up to date with extra info.
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