The State of Texas vs. Melissa

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State of Texas vs. Melissa is a 2020 documentary by Sabrina Van Tassel. The documentary follows the case of Melissa Lucio, a Texan woman who was the first woman of Hispanic descent in Texas to be sentenced to death. It was selected for the Tribeca Film Festival in 2020, and won best documentary at the Raindance Film Festival. As of 2021, Lucio has been on death row for 13 years, having been convicted of the abuse and killing of one of her children in a court case full of problems—her court-appointed attorney would not let exculpatory evidence be presented, and the DA is currently serving a prison term for corruption and accepting bribes. The rights were acquired by Hulu, for streaming in the US.[1]

Background[]

On February 17, 2007, paramedics were called to a residence, where an unresponsive two-year-old child was found. The child succumbed thereafter. The child’s mother, Melissa Lucio, was arrested and convicted of murder due to evidence of abuse.[2] A 2011 appeal against the conviction was denied.[3] However, due to trial court interference in the accused's right to present a defense, the sentence was unanimously overturned in 2019 by a three-judge panel of the Federal Appeals Court.[4] However, this was again subsequently overturned and Lucio remains on death row as of April 2021.

Reception[]

The documentary received overall positive feedback, with an 82% score on RottenTomatoes.[5]

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ Keslassy, Elsa (April 15, 2021). "Hulu Acquires U.S. Rights to Tribeca Documentary The State of Texas vs. Melissa". Variety. Retrieved April 16, 2021.
  2. ^ "Death Row Information". www.tdcj.texas.gov. Retrieved 17 April 2021.
  3. ^ "MELISSA ELIZABETH LUCIO v. THE STATE OF TEXAS (concurring)". Justia Law.
  4. ^ "Federal Appeals Court Overturns Mother's Conviction in Texas Child Murder Case That May Have Been an Accidental Death". Death Penalty Information Center.
  5. ^ "The State of Texas vs. Melissa (2020)". RottenTomatoes.
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