Texas Woman Gets Death Penalty For Torturing, Killing Toddler
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Texas Woman Gets Death Penalty For Torturing, Killing Toddler
A 39-year-old woman is headed to women’s death row in Gatesville after being sentenced to die for the torture and murder of her 2-and-a-half-year-old daughter.
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(July 11, 2008)—A South Texas woman is headed to women’s death row in Gatesville after being sentenced to die for the torture and murder of her 2-and-a-half-year-old daughter.

A jury in Brownsville sentenced 39-year-old Melissa Elizabeth Lucio of Harlingen to death.

Witnesses testified the toddler, Maria Alvarez, was abused for months before dying from brain damage in a final violent assault.

Lucio's live-in boyfriend faces trial Aug. 4.

Roberto Antonio Alvarez is charged with injury to a child by omission.

If convicted, Alvarez could get life in prison.

Latest Comments

Posted by: Tiffany Location: Texas on Sep 24, 2008 at 03:06 PM

Please,Please report abuse.How could anyone just set back and watch a child get abused!This just makes me SICK!!! I know for a fact she will get what she deserves in prison from the mothers that haven't seen their children in years. God Bless this child
Posted by: Chip Location: Pennsylvania on Jul 26, 2008 at 07:26 AM

I applaud you folks in TX for your pro-DP sentiments for the "worst of the worst" criminals. The punishment, albeit too humane, certainly fits the crime committed by this vermin. I only wish the executions of the 224 scumbags that reside on our Death Row would be expedited. Our last 3 governors have signed countless death warrants, only to have them all set aside as a result of the insufferable and interminable appeals process. PA has carried out only three executions since 1995 - the last in 1999 - and ALL were volunteers. Your state continues to be a model for capital punishment in our era of political correctness; common sense still prevails and it serves to restore some degree of faith in our criminal justice system. Kudos to Gov. Perry, the TDCJ and the good citizens of Texas!
Posted by: Tawnee Location: Harlingen on Jul 15, 2008 at 12:32 AM

The article doesn't mention that CPS had already removed Mariah and her 6 half brothers and sisters before only to return them to a one bedroom apartment of her mother and presumed father (Alvarez). Also, they found cocaine in Mariah's system.
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