United States: the execution of Melissa Lucio, suspended in extremis
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In this April 6, 2022 photo, Texas State Representative Jeff Leach, with death row inmate Melissa Lucio, during a visit by seven lawmakers to the Mountain View unit in Gatesville, Texas.
PA
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In Texas, we followed with apprehension the latest developments in the case of Melissa Lucio, this mother of 14 children who was to be executed on Wednesday April 27, after being sentenced to death for the murder of her two-year-old granddaughter.
The Court of Appeal suspended the execution, this Monday, April 25, two days before the deadline.
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With our correspondent in the United States,
Thomas Harms
Melissa Lucio was in her cell when an elected Republican on her support committee, Jeff Leach, called her.
Melissa, did you hear the news?
Not what ?
The criminal appeals court suspended your execution scheduled for this Wednesday.
Are you serious ?
Supporters of inmate Melissa Lucio, celebrating outside the Governor's office on Capitol Hill in Austin, Texas, Monday, April 25, 2022, the stay of her execution scheduled for Wednesday.
AP - Jay Janner
Melissa Lucio has been on death row for fifteen years.
During her interrogation, the police had accused her of having pushed her daughter from the top of a staircase.
After five hours of questioning, she finally admitted to spanking and biting her.
The prosecutor then considered that it was an admission of murder, and succeeded in condemning her to the death penalty.
►Read again: Melissa Lucio, sentenced for the death of her daughter Mariah and soon to be executed
But what does that mean?
Well that means you're going to wake up Thursday morning.
The decision of the court of appeal was very strong, and it seems that you will at least have a new trial.
Breaking: The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals halts Melissa Lucio's execution, order lower court to weigh her actual innocence claims.
Story to come.
pic.twitter.com/i09tgPsR3z
— Jolie McCullough (@jsmccullou) April 25, 2022
As the date of his execution approached, the mobilization had continued to spread.
Stars like Kim Kardashian or elected Republicans, yet in favor of capital punishment, such as Jeff Leach, have put pressure.
We will do everything to make you free.
This is our goal.
Today, five of the twelve jurors who convicted her have asked for a new trial.
According to them, the miscarriage of justice is manifest.
The execution of #MelissaLucio in Texas will not take place.
How to write it without drowning in tears.
Of anguish and joy.
A new trial.
Justice.
Justice
ChT
— Christiane Taubira (@ChTaubira) April 25, 2022
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