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MELISSA LUCIO SENTENCED TO DEATH BY LETHAL INJECTION

July 10, 2008 | News

 
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For the first time in Cameron County history, a woman is sentenced to death.
Today, July 10th 2008, in the city of Brownsville, TX 38 year old Melissa Elizabeth Lucio was sentenced to death. The mother of 14 caused the death of her 2 and a 1/2 year old daughter Mariah Alvarez back in February of 2007 in the city of Harlingen, TX. The judgment was handed down at 5:30 this afternoon, just three hours since the sentencing phase had begun.
Lucio’s lawyer, Peter Gilman is confident that this sentence will be overturned when they appeal.
Although Peter Gilman argued that Mariah died as a result of falling down stairs, the trial revealed that young Mariah had been a victim of extensive physical abuse.
Assistant D.A. Alfredo Padilla explained the lethal injection method of execution which Lucio faces.
Lucio’s common-law husband also faces life in prison for failing to report the abuse which led to the untimely death of Mariah Alvarez. Additionally, it remains to be seen what will be done with Lucio’s remaining 13 children.
The last woman to face the death penalty in Cameron County was Angela Camacho, however, she was deemed mentally retarded and instead was given life in prison

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MELISSA LUCIO SENTENCED TO DEATH BY LETHAL INJECTION

15 people have left comments

The biological father, of Mariah, should also be arrested, charged with abuse/neglect, and put on death row if he has been a dead beat. And the father(s) of the thirteen other children should be forced to care for the children or put on death row too. It’s sad that society never deems the fathers actions to be downright criminal.

Titi Carter-El wrote on August 18, 2008 - 8:42 pm | Visit Link

I don’t agree with a death sentence. there are 13 others that will be with out a mother. The state should allow these kids to one day have a better relationship with their mother. Instead she will be dead before they get a chance. I feel that the conviction should be overturned and she should spent the rest of her life thinking about what she did to that precious child. This state should be reviewed by someone to stop so many death sentences from accurring. I know that some crimes are so bad that death appears to be the only way, but allowing someone a life time to think about what they have done is a better sentence. Thanks

toni wrote on August 21, 2008 - 4:51 pm | Visit Link

she deserve to be in prison for the rest of her life….I feel sorry for the 13 children….I hope they go to a better home….because they don’t deserve to have a monster as a mother

marisol wrote on August 27, 2008 - 4:45 pm | Visit Link

she deserve to be in prison for the rest of her life….I feel sorry for the 13 children….I hope they go to a better home….because they don’t deserve to have this monster as a mother

marisol wrote on August 27, 2008 - 4:52 pm | Visit Link

“And the father(s) of the thirteen other children should be forced to care for the children”
I DEFINITLY DO NOT AGREE WITH THIS COMMENT, WHY WOULD WE WANT THIS INNOCENT CHILDREN WITH A MAN “SO-CALLED FATHER” THAT FAILED TO CARE IN THE FIRST PLACE. THIS CHILDREN DESERVE ALL THE CARING AND LOVE IN THE WORLD, SOMETHING THAT HE HAD FAILED TO GIVE THEM, I WOULDN’T WANT THIS FOR THE ALL THE CHILDREN IN THE WORLD.

IRENE wrote on September 1, 2008 - 2:12 pm | Visit Link

“And the father(s) of the thirteen other children should be forced to care for the children”
I DEFINITLY DO NOT AGREE WITH THIS COMMENT, WHY WOULD WE WANT THIS INNOCENT CHILDREN WITH A MAN “SO-CALLED FATHER” THAT FAILED TO CARE FOR THEM IN THE FIRST PLACE. THIS CHILDREN DESERVE ALL THE CARING AND LOVE IN THE WORLD, SOMETHING THAT HE HAD FAILED TO GIVE THEM, I WOULDN’T WANT THIS FOR ALL THE CHILDREN IN THE WORLD.

IRENE wrote on September 1, 2008 - 2:13 pm | Visit Link

IT’S REALLY AMAZING THAT SHE WOULD BE THE FIRST WOMEN IN THE HISTORY OF CAMERON COUNTY. I AM NO ONE TO JUDGE BUT SHE HAS NOT BEEN THE ONLY WOMEN TO HAVE CAUSED THE DEATH OF CHILDREN, MY QUESTION WHY ARE THEY STILL ALIVE? MAYBE BECAUSE THEY ARE INSANE AND WERE LUCKY ENOUGH TO BE SENT TO A MANIC PLACE INSTEAD OF LIFE IN PRISON.

IRENE wrote on September 1, 2008 - 2:18 pm | Visit Link

“I don’t agree with a death sentence. there are 13 others that will be with out a mother. The state should allow these kids to one day have a better relationship with their mother.”

MOST DEFINITELY DO NOT AGREE WITH THIS COMMENT EITHER, I MEAN WE CAN DEBATE “DEATH SENTENCE”, BUT ALLOWING THIS INNOCENT CHILDREN TO SEE “THEIR MOTHER” AT LEAST “ONE DAY FOR A “BETTER RELATIONSHIP”"
I MEAN WHAT “BETTER RELATIONSHIP COULD SHE POSSIBLY GIVE THEM, KILL THEM ALL TO DEATH, C’MON LET’S BE REALISTIC HERE. WHY WOULD WE EVEN WANT TO TAKE THAT CHANCE, IT’S 13 INNOCENT LIVES HERE.

IRENE wrote on September 1, 2008 - 2:21 pm | Visit Link

Irene jail is suppose to rehabilitate. she is still their mother. It is up to the children if they want a relationship with the mother. I just feel that death is the wrong way out for her. who knows what jail could do to her in 20 years.

toni wrote on September 13, 2008 - 10:38 am | Visit Link

Toni, most criminals are very sane, the only problem is that they got caught. Rehab is self help for those who do damage to themselves, her mental stability was not in question being that they gave her the lethal injection, isn’t punishment supposed to function as a form of rehab as well. Of course it us up to the children if they want to see their mother, that is not something i would even debate about, own free will. But two children, i mean what would rehab do any good at least in this case.

IRENE wrote on September 15, 2008 - 11:21 am | Visit Link

It makes me sick to my stomach that people would stick up for a baby killer. She doesnt deserve to breath the same air we do, and as far as rehab??? SHE KILLED HER OWN CHILD and you want to waste time and energy trying to rehab her?? Thats disgusting!!

Tracy wrote on September 18, 2008 - 7:59 pm | Visit Link

I definitely do not agree that rehab is the way to go in this sad situation. I do however think that the death penalty in any case is wrong. My only reason for feeling this way is that who are we are human beings to say that one person should be put to death and another should get life in prison? One human being should not decide that another should die…not ever. Whether the situation be a murder or putting an injection in someone’s arm, who are we to decide that this is the last breath someone will take? I think Ms. Lucio should very much pay for what she has done to her beautiful child. I just don’t think you or I have the right to pick the day she is going to die. We have to leave that up to God.

Michelle wrote on September 29, 2008 - 9:46 am | Visit Link

definitly agree with michelle, we are not God.

irene wrote on September 30, 2008 - 6:38 pm | Visit Link

Where are the FATHER’S???? Why is it, whenever a child is neglected, the absentee fathers are never dragged into court with the mother? This woman has 14 children and no husband. How can you say that she is not insane or retarded? Unless you are wealthy or live on a farm, who has 14 children in the 21st century? With 16 people in the household, who is to say–who abused the toddler. None of the other children tried to prevent the abuse?

Joyce wrote on October 24, 2008 - 3:17 am | Visit Link

if this woman (and i use that term loosely) is capable of killing one of her kids she sure has it in her to do it to the others. her man should die too for not stopping this thing called a mom from her monsterous deed.KILL THEM BOTH

norma wrote on October 26, 2008 - 9:14 pm | Visit Link

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