Texas mom on death row actually innocent after new evidence and Kim Kardashian intervention

A Texas death row inmate was deemed “actually innocent” by a judge who recommended her capital murder conviction be overturned as new evidence affirmed her daughter died from an accidental fall.Melissa Lucio, a mother of 14 living in Brownsville, Texas, was arrested and charged in 2007 for the murder of her two-year-old daughter Mariah Alvarez who had turned purple and unresponsive at home.Since her conviction in 2008 on capital murder, Lucio – with the help of a majority of the Texas legislature and reality TV superstar Kim Kardashian – maintained her innocence claiming her daughter had fallen down a flight of stairs and said prosecutors relied on false testimony and flawed evidence.Cameron County District 138 Court Judge Arturo Nelson found that Lucio is “actually innocent” and did not kill her daughter,” according to court documents obtained by KPRC.Additional evidence, that had been withheld by prosecutors during Lucio’s trial, was submitted and used to convince Nelson of her innocence.“In light of the new evidence, there is such clear and convincing evidence of innocence that no rational juror would have convicted (Lucio).” Nelson wrote.Prosecutors alleged at the time that little Mariah had numerous signs of trauma and bruising that covered her body when paramedics unsuccessfully attempted to revive the toddler on Feb.

17, 2007, court records viewed by The Post showed.Among the bodily wounds were scratches and a bite mark.Medical Examiner Dr.Norma Jean Farley testified that Mariah died as a result of head trauma, as the toddler’s injuries “could only have been caused by intentional physical abuse exerted within 24 hours of her death.”Farley’s testimony ruled out any possibility that the toddler’s injuries were the result of an accidental fall.Texas Ranger Victor Escalon, who had interrogated Lucio the night of her daughter’s death, determined the mother’s guilt based on her demeanor.“Escalon testifying that (Lucio) was not ...