Speak out against the unjust execution of Melissa Lucio

Thanks to the faithful work of Texas Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty, Fellowship Southwest and CBF Texas have been aware of and concerned about the upcoming execution of Melissa Lucio. Many believe she was unjustly put on death row. Lucio is scheduled for execution April 27.

According to TCADP, "Melissa Lucio was wrongfully convicted and sentenced to death for the accidental death of her daughter, Mariah, in Cameron County in 2008. Melissa is on death row despite forensic and eyewitness evidence that her daughter died from a head injury she suffered in a fall."

John Oliver, the host of "Last Week Tonight" on HBO, featured Lucio's case in his segment on the complexities and injustices of the legal system pertaining to wrong convictions. Warning: it is a really good and helpful explanation, but it's difficult to watch and uses explicit language.

Fellowship Southwest has a more personal connection to this case. Lucio's sister attends New Wine Fellowship, the church Jorge Zapata and Melba Zapata co-pastor in Harlingen.

The Innocence Project has a page with more information about her case where you can also sign a petition on Lucio's behalf, petitioning the district attorney, governor and the Board of Pardons and Paroles to grant Lucio clemency. As of Thursday afternoon, they are only 34 signatures away from their goal of 100,000! You may also call D.A. Saenz' office by calling 956-300-3881 to petition against Lucio's unjust execution.

Please share about this on your social media, with your personal networks, and your congregations.