The state of Texas plans to execute Melissa Lucio on April 27 for killing her 2 year old daughter Mariah in 2007.
According to the Innocence Project, the child's death was "a crime that never occurred." Yes, there was a dead toddler. And there was a huge Latinx family living from hand to mouth in a culture of deep poverty and dysfunction that was inexplicable to the Anglo legal system. Add an ambitious DA who needs a "win" -- a conviction came easy. Oh yeah, that DA later was convicted of corruptly profiting from drug crimes. But none of that helped Melissa -- Texas aims to kill her.
The documentary The State of Texas vs Melissa is an extraordinary accomplishment, introducing and unveiling a maze of incomprehension mixed with love and malevolence.
The incomprehension is well-nigh universal. For her family:
"As close as we were, there were a lot of things happening. Maybe we just wanted to block it out. ... it's like opening up our wounds. ... there's nobody there to set her free. we need to continue to live."
And Melissa herself:
"If I was out there, I'd have my children with me ..."
Filmed at a moment in Melissa's long travail when there seemed more hope than today that justice might prevail, it is absolutely worth viewing.
Take a look and join the campaign to stop this mad execution.
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