July 12 TEXAS----new female death sentence Mom gets death penalty for daughter's slaying A South Texas mother convicted of torturing and beating to death her 2 1/2-year-old daughter has been sentenced to die. Melissa Elizabeth Lucio, 39, of Harlingen will become the 10th woman on death row in Texas. She was sentenced by a jury Thursday and is believed to be the first female given the death penalty in Cameron County. Witnesses in the 2-week trial testified that Mariah Alvarez was beaten and tortured for months before dying from brain damage in a final violent assault last year. "I honestly think justice was done," said District Attorney Armando Villalobos. He said jurors made the right call in spite of living in a largely Catholic community that borders Mexico, which doesn't allow the death penalty. The Catholic Church generally opposes capital punishment. Lucio wept when witnesses spoke of the brutality the toddler endured, but she showed no emotion when her sentence was read. Defense attorneys argued that Lucio was poor and suffered from "battered women's syndrome," but Villalobos said they didn't present proof that she was a victim of domestic violence. Regardless, he praised the jury for dismissing that as a plausible reason for her child's death. In their deliberations, jurors had to decide whether there was a chance Lucio would commit criminal and violent acts that would make her a continuing threat to society and whether life in prison without parole was an option. By choosing the death penalty, the jury sent a message that Cameron County was family friendly and wouldn't tolerate violent crimes, Villalobos said. For failing to prevent the beatings that resulted in Mariah's death, Lucio's live-in boyfriend will go on trial Aug. 4. Roberto Antonio Alvarez faces a charge of injury to a child by omission and could face up to life in prison if convicted. (source: Associated Press) ************** NZ lawyer backs death row inmate A high-profile Auckland lawyer is leading the fight to save a Texas death-row inmate facing execution by lethal injection. Lawyer Colin Amery intends to head to the United States later this year for the crucial final appeal of convicted murderer Charles Flores. Flores, who has spent 9 years on death row, was found guilty of murdering a 64-year-old woman during a botched burglary and faces death by lethal injection. Amery took an interest in the case after reading Flores' book, Warrior Within, and the pair have exchanged letters. He has sold dozens of copies of the book, with proceeds going towards Flores' appeal. After reviewing the case, Amery is convinced of Flores' innocence and has been in contact with his New York lawyer and a Texas senator trying to help the 29-year-old clear his name. " I strongly believe in his innocence and will do whatever I can to help," Amery said. "I feel this is an important fight. There are definite flaws in the case and a lot of corrupt practices have gone on." Amery is probably best known for his private prosecution of Rainbow Warrior saboteurs Allan Marfart and Dominique Prieur. Flores argues he was not properly represented at his original trial, with the prosecution case relying largely on flawed evidence and jailhouse snitches. The chief witness against Flores had to undergo hypnosis to recall the events on the night of the murder. Alibi witnesses, who could have proven Flores' whereabouts, weren't called at the trial, Amery said. Following his conviction, no mitigating evidence was produced to show why he should not receive a death sentence. Amery says Flores has shown amazing courage as he battles to clear his name. "I just hope I can do something to help this chap. He may have been into drugs, but he is definitely not a murderer - he is a decent man." (source: New Zealand Herald)
[Deathpenalty] death penalty news----TEXAS
Rick Halperin Sat, 12 Jul 2008 18:15:09 -0500 (Central Daylight Time)
- [Deathpenalty] death penalty news----TEXAS Rick Halperin
- [Deathpenalty] death penalty news----TEXAS Rick Halperin
- [Deathpenalty] death penalty news----TEXAS Rick Halperin
- [Deathpenalty] death penalty news----TEXAS Rick Halperin
- [Deathpenalty] death penalty news----TEXAS Rick Halperin
- [Deathpenalty] death penalty news----TEXAS Rick Halperin
- [Deathpenalty] death penalty news----TEXAS Rick Halperin
- [Deathpenalty] death penalty news----TEXAS Rick Halperin
- [Deathpenalty] death penalty news----TEXAS Rick Halperin
- [Deathpenalty] death penalty news----TEXAS Rick Halperin
- [Deathpenalty] death penalty news----TEXAS Rick Halperin
- [Deathpenalty] death penalty news----TEXAS Rick Halperin
- [Deathpenalty] death penalty news----TEXAS Rick Halperin
- [Deathpenalty] death penalty news----TEXAS Rick Halperin
- [Deathpenalty] death penalty news----TEXAS Rick Halperin
- [Deathpenalty] death penalty news----TEXAS Rick Halperin
- [Deathpenalty] death penalty news----TEXAS Rick Halperin
- [Deathpenalty] death penalty news----TEXAS Rick Halperin
- [Deathpenalty] death penalty news----TEXAS Rick Halperin
- [Deathpenalty] death penalty news----TEXAS Rick Halperin
- [Deathpenalty] death penalty news----TEXAS Rick Halperin