Mercy for Melissa
Lalo Alcaraz
Digital, 2022
Los Angeles, CA
Melissa Lucio was scheduled to be executed this week. She would have been executed for a crime that never happened. Lucio was charged with murder after her 2-year-old daughter died two days after falling down a flight of stairs in 2008. She was convicted and spent nearly 15 years on death row because the State of Texas relied on false evidence, and hid favorable evidence. Five of the jurors who voted to convict her and more than 80 state representatives — over half of the members of the Texas House—are now calling for a new trial, and petitions are circulating to release her immediately.
A lot of organizing and educational work, spearheaded by the Innocence Project, Death Penalty Action, and many individuals and organizations, kept attention on her case, and on Monday, April 25, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals stayed her April 27 execution.
A two-pronged organizing strategy is ongoing:
Demand her immediate release. If this is rejected
Demand a fair trial.
Here’s how you can help:
Call Texas Governor Abbot with the above demands 956-446-2866
Sign the Petition: bit.ly/MelissaLucio
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