The looming execution of a US mother-of-14 sentenced to death in a controversial case for the murder of her toddler daughter has provoked backlash from celebrities like Kim Kardashian and a growing movement that reaches well beyond US borders.
Melissa Lucio is to be put to death on April 27 for the 2007 murder of her two-year-old daughter Mariah, whose body was found at the family home covered in bruises, days after falling down stairs.
Pregnant with twins at the time, Lucios life had been marred by both physical and sexual assault, drug addiction and financial insecurity. She was immediately suspected by police of having hit her daughter and questioned at length, just hours after the death.
After saying that she hadnt done it nearly a hundred times, at 3:00 am she made a completely extorted confession, according to Sabrina Van Tassel, director of the hit documentary The State of Texas vs. Melissa, which came out in 2020.
I guess I did it, Lucio eventually told her interrogators when questioned about the presence of the bruises.
That confession was the only thing they had against her, said Van Tassel, convinced that there is nothing that connects Melissa Lucio to the death of this child, there is no DNA, no witness.
During the trial, a doctor said it was the absolute worst case of child abuse he had seen.
But Mariah had a physical disability which made her unsteady while walking, according to Lucios defense and which could have explained her fall.
The defense also argued that the bruises could have been caused by a blood circulation disorder.
None of Melissas children had accused her of being violent. As for the prosecutor, he was later sentenced to prison for corruption and extortion.
Now the documentary has sparked widespread interest, causing a whole movement to coalesce around Lucio.
Reality star Kim Kardashian tweeted to her tens of millions of followers on Wednesday that there were so many unresolved questions surrounding this case and the evidence that was used to convict her.
And Lucios story has ignited media in Latin America, fascinated by the tale of the first Hispanic woman to be sentenced to death in Texas the US state that has executed the most people in the 21st century.
In France, former presidential candidate Christiane Taubira said Lucio is probably a victim of a miscarriage of justice.
Even one of the jurors who sentenced her expressed his deep regret in an editorial published on Sunday.
Lucio is also winningsupport from US Republicans, traditionally defenders of capital punishment.
About 80 Texas lawmakers from both parties have demanded authorities call off the execution.
Several have been to visit her in prison. As a conservative Republican myself who has long been a supporter of the death penalty I have never seen a more troubling case than the case of Melissa Lucio, said one of them, Jeff Leach.
The flood has come as a shock for the death row inmate, her son John Lucio told AFP.
When he showed her the messages from celebrities like Kardashian, she couldnt believe it.
The last 15 years have been very difficult, said Lucio, who was a teenager at the time of the tragedy and had to cope with it, knowing that I lost my sister and then my mother being charged for it.
But this year has been the hardest because we got the execution date in January, said the 32-year-old.
He is convinced that she would never have been condemned if she had had the money.
The case brings to light the issue of false confessions.
It is difficult to estimate how many there may have been, but according to data from The Innocence Project, which fights against miscarriages of justice, out of every four people wrongly convicted and exonerated thanks to DNA evidence, one had already confessed to the crime.
In homicide cases, that number rises to 60 percent, according to Saul Kassin, professor of psychology at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice.
And someone who, like Lucio, has experienced trauma and violence is less resistant, more likely to comply, they have less tolerance for the stress of an interrogation, and is therefore more likely to admit to a crime they did not commit, he said.
Lucio has exhausted her appeals but her team has filed a clemency petition, typically not decided until days before an execution. Prosecutors can also withdraw the death warrant and agree to reinvestigate the case, according to the Houston Chronicle.
And if all else fails, Texas governor Greg Abbott still has the authority to delay Lucios death.
A strong supporter of capital punishment, he has only granted clemency once before.
by La DAUPLE
Here is the original post:
Wave of support for US mother awaiting execution - Macau Business
- The Greatest Showman: The Life And Times Of Stanley Ho - Tatler Hong Kong [Last Updated On: June 5th, 2020] [Originally Added On: June 5th, 2020]
- Russian nuclear sub city closes access over virus - Macau Business [Last Updated On: June 5th, 2020] [Originally Added On: June 5th, 2020]
- Special guest Walt Power to discuss the five false paradigms of the Macau gaming industry in GAME3 tonight - Inside Asian Gaming [Last Updated On: June 5th, 2020] [Originally Added On: June 5th, 2020]
- Professor: too early to predict impact of US-China tensions over Hong Kong on Macau gaming industry - Inside Asian Gaming [Last Updated On: June 5th, 2020] [Originally Added On: June 5th, 2020]
- Something is wrong when Macau bars mention of Tiananmen Square massacre - Hong Kong Free Press [Last Updated On: June 5th, 2020] [Originally Added On: June 5th, 2020]
- Macau | History, Geography, & Map | Britannica [Last Updated On: June 5th, 2020] [Originally Added On: June 5th, 2020]
- Macau - Wikipedia [Last Updated On: June 5th, 2020] [Originally Added On: June 5th, 2020]
- Macau as the world's sixth priciest housing market - Research - Macau Business [Last Updated On: June 13th, 2020] [Originally Added On: June 13th, 2020]
- Groups call for changes to HK and Macau law - [Last Updated On: June 13th, 2020] [Originally Added On: June 13th, 2020]
- Collapse in Gambling Totally Crushes Macau's Overall Economy - WOLF STREET [Last Updated On: June 13th, 2020] [Originally Added On: June 13th, 2020]
- SUEZ and University of Macau Partner on Research Innovation, Reaffirm Commitment to Marine Protection - Yahoo Finance [Last Updated On: June 13th, 2020] [Originally Added On: June 13th, 2020]
- Macau | Hetalia Archives | Fandom [Last Updated On: June 13th, 2020] [Originally Added On: June 13th, 2020]
- History of Macau - Wikipedia [Last Updated On: June 13th, 2020] [Originally Added On: June 13th, 2020]
- Macau International Travel Information [Last Updated On: June 13th, 2020] [Originally Added On: June 13th, 2020]
- More than 8 million Italians tune in as football returns - Macau Business [Last Updated On: June 13th, 2020] [Originally Added On: June 13th, 2020]
- Chinese police bust massive illegal gambling op with ties to Macau - CalvinAyre.com [Last Updated On: June 13th, 2020] [Originally Added On: June 13th, 2020]
- OPINION - The gilded cage - Macau Business [Last Updated On: June 13th, 2020] [Originally Added On: June 13th, 2020]
- 6-year-old boy dies in Indian Kashmir crossfire - Macau Business [Last Updated On: June 26th, 2020] [Originally Added On: June 26th, 2020]
- 580 civilians killed this year in central Mail: UN - Macau Business [Last Updated On: June 26th, 2020] [Originally Added On: June 26th, 2020]
- Putin reform referendum reveals Russian generation gap - Macau Business [Last Updated On: June 26th, 2020] [Originally Added On: June 26th, 2020]
- Tensions flare over virus-hit 'ghetto' in southern Italy - Macau Business [Last Updated On: June 26th, 2020] [Originally Added On: June 26th, 2020]
- Taiwan allow international travellers to transit through the island - Macau News [Last Updated On: June 26th, 2020] [Originally Added On: June 26th, 2020]
- EU split on reopening Europe to countries with virus - Macau Business [Last Updated On: June 26th, 2020] [Originally Added On: June 26th, 2020]
- Philippines repatriated more than 360 workers in Macau and provided assistance to over 2,000 - Macau Business [Last Updated On: June 26th, 2020] [Originally Added On: June 26th, 2020]
- Macau Chief Executive calls on gaming operators to stay patient with good news on border restrictions to come - Inside Asian Gaming [Last Updated On: June 26th, 2020] [Originally Added On: June 26th, 2020]
- Hong Kong denies reports Macau to be frozen out of travel bubble as Taiwan eases border restrictions - Inside Asian Gaming [Last Updated On: June 26th, 2020] [Originally Added On: June 26th, 2020]
- World Views | ByteDance is playing chicken with Trump on TikTok - Macau Daily Times [Last Updated On: September 18th, 2020] [Originally Added On: September 18th, 2020]
- US charges citizen with providing support to IS - Macau Business [Last Updated On: September 18th, 2020] [Originally Added On: September 18th, 2020]
- Fashion festival to be themed Green Sustainability - Macau Daily Times [Last Updated On: September 18th, 2020] [Originally Added On: September 18th, 2020]
- Youth space for 'education of love for the motherland' due to open in December - Macau Business [Last Updated On: September 18th, 2020] [Originally Added On: September 18th, 2020]
- Macau Racing Tips: The Honan 1510 Metres Sand 2020-09-19 | Sat | 14:00 - Macau Daily Times [Last Updated On: September 18th, 2020] [Originally Added On: September 18th, 2020]
- Visitation on the rise in September but Macau recovery slower than other jurisdictions - Inside Asian Gaming [Last Updated On: September 18th, 2020] [Originally Added On: September 18th, 2020]
- CCAC says officials who granted loans to Viva Macau 'failed in their duties' - Macau News [Last Updated On: September 18th, 2020] [Originally Added On: September 18th, 2020]
- Briefs | Qingmao port expected to open in 2h of 2021 - Macau Daily Times [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2021] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2021]
- Sheldon G. Adelson | The man who successfully turned his vision for Cotai to reality - Macau Daily Times [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2021] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2021]
- Retiree duped out of nearly RM1mil in Macau scam - The Star Online [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2021] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2021]
- Wynn Resorts reports 59% Q4 revenue drop; huge losses in Macau - Gambling Insider - In-depth Analysis for the Gaming Industry [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2021] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2021]
- US in tug-of-war with teachers over reopening schools - Macau Business [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2021] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2021]
- US shooting survivor starts pillow fight with pro-Trump businessman - Macau Business [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2021] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2021]
- City adds Gaodong Town to the list of zones requiring quarantine - Macau Daily Times [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2021] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2021]
- Covid-19 | Vaccination for all residents kicks off on February 22 - Macau Daily Times [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2021] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2021]
- Rise in number of new companies in Q4 2020 - Macau Daily Times [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2021] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2021]
- University calls for promotion of mental health services - Macau Daily Times [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2021] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2021]
- Gaming | Bernstein projects weaker revenue in first week of Feb - Macau Daily Times [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2021] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2021]
- USA | What to Watch: Democrats to argue Trump alone incited mob - Macau Daily Times [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2021] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2021]
- Explainer | What the WHO coronavirus experts learned in Wuhan - Macau Daily Times [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2021] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2021]
- South extension project of airport to be completed in Q4 - Macau Daily Times [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2021] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2021]
- CE New Year Message: Accelerate economic diversification to speed post-pandemic recovery - Macau Daily Times [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2021] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2021]
- Pandemic control and economic recovery efforts to continue in the Year of the Ox - CE - Macau Business [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2021] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2021]
- The Maldives, a honeymoon haven in peril - Macau Business [Last Updated On: May 7th, 2021] [Originally Added On: May 7th, 2021]
- Honduras police unearth 1.5 tons of buried cocaine - Macau Business [Last Updated On: May 7th, 2021] [Originally Added On: May 7th, 2021]
- In US, children return to school -- but so do the guns - Macau Business [Last Updated On: May 7th, 2021] [Originally Added On: May 7th, 2021]
- DFS Group and L'Oral Travel Retail plan beauty innovation drive with joint projects in Hainan and Macau - The Moodie Davitt Report - The Moodie Davitt... [Last Updated On: May 7th, 2021] [Originally Added On: May 7th, 2021]
- WHO warns of new Covid wave in Africa - Macau Business [Last Updated On: May 7th, 2021] [Originally Added On: May 7th, 2021]
- Chinas criticism of HK legal luminary a warning for lawyers in the two SARs - Macau Daily Times [Last Updated On: May 7th, 2021] [Originally Added On: May 7th, 2021]
- April Was Good to Macau, as Casinos Record Highest Total in More Than a Year - GamblingNews.com [Last Updated On: May 7th, 2021] [Originally Added On: May 7th, 2021]
- Covid-19 | All 29 dance group members and tour guide tested negative - Macau Daily Times [Last Updated On: August 6th, 2021] [Originally Added On: August 6th, 2021]
- Macau Racing Tips | The Rua Cinco Outubro 1600 Metres Sand 2021-08-06 | Fri | 21:25 - Macau Daily Times [Last Updated On: August 6th, 2021] [Originally Added On: August 6th, 2021]
- Macau's operator SJM sees revenues, earnings up in H1 driven by 'cautious' tourism return - Yogonet International [Last Updated On: August 6th, 2021] [Originally Added On: August 6th, 2021]
- Macau begins COVID-19 tests and shuts some entertainment venues, casino stocks fall - Reuters [Last Updated On: August 6th, 2021] [Originally Added On: August 6th, 2021]
- Covid-19 | Footprint records on health code soon to become reality - Macau Daily Times [Last Updated On: August 22nd, 2021] [Originally Added On: August 22nd, 2021]
- Crime increased 26% during the first half of 2021 - Macau Daily Times [Last Updated On: August 22nd, 2021] [Originally Added On: August 22nd, 2021]
- 19-year-old student loses RM37,000 in Macau scam - The Star Online [Last Updated On: August 22nd, 2021] [Originally Added On: August 22nd, 2021]
- GGRAsia Some non-gaming at Macau resorts still shut as of Thurs - GGRAsia [Last Updated On: August 22nd, 2021] [Originally Added On: August 22nd, 2021]
- Five killed in DR Congo as alleged rapist resists arrest - Macau Business [Last Updated On: August 24th, 2021] [Originally Added On: August 24th, 2021]
- Al Capone's guns to go under the hammer in US auction - Macau Business [Last Updated On: August 24th, 2021] [Originally Added On: August 24th, 2021]
- Brunei reports first virus deaths in over a year - Macau Business [Last Updated On: August 24th, 2021] [Originally Added On: August 24th, 2021]
- US ramps up Afghan evacuations after Taliban warn of 'red line' - Macau Business [Last Updated On: August 24th, 2021] [Originally Added On: August 24th, 2021]
- Mexican teen boxer dies of injuries suffered in ring - Macau Business [Last Updated On: September 4th, 2021] [Originally Added On: September 4th, 2021]
- Chinese premier stresses achieving harmony between humanity and nature - Macau Business [Last Updated On: September 4th, 2021] [Originally Added On: September 4th, 2021]
- Health Bureau warns of mental health risks in young residents - Macau Business [Last Updated On: September 4th, 2021] [Originally Added On: September 4th, 2021]
- Macau's GGR Drops in August, but Recovery Could Be Coming - GamblingNews.com [Last Updated On: September 4th, 2021] [Originally Added On: September 4th, 2021]
- Macau GGR dips from July to August ahead of easing of testing rules | Finance - iGaming Business [Last Updated On: September 4th, 2021] [Originally Added On: September 4th, 2021]
- What do red socks have to do with Germany's election? - Macau Business [Last Updated On: September 16th, 2021] [Originally Added On: September 16th, 2021]
- The Buzz | WHO reports big drop in new coronavirus infections - Macau Daily Times [Last Updated On: September 16th, 2021] [Originally Added On: September 16th, 2021]
- Macau: Legislative election turnout at historic low after opposition barred from running, govt blames weather and Covid - Hong Kong Free Press [Last Updated On: September 16th, 2021] [Originally Added On: September 16th, 2021]
- Macau Casino Traffic Surges: Is the Worst Over for the Industry? - Yahoo Finance [Last Updated On: September 16th, 2021] [Originally Added On: September 16th, 2021]
- Billions blown as Macau casino investors fold amid gambling review - Reuters [Last Updated On: September 16th, 2021] [Originally Added On: September 16th, 2021]
- Los Angeles bids to host games of 2026 World Cup - Macau Business [Last Updated On: September 17th, 2021] [Originally Added On: September 17th, 2021]
- Major fire at migrant camp on Greek island of Samos - Macau Business [Last Updated On: September 20th, 2021] [Originally Added On: September 20th, 2021]