Abby Connolly
Melissa eventually met Mariah’s father, who would also beat and assault her. For a period of time, some of Melissa’s children were taken away by Child Protective Services so she could get her life together.
The family also dealt with poverty, and although Melissa claimed to have been a very loving mother, she would struggle to support them.
It’s been 15 years since Melissa’s arrest, and she is set to be executed on April 27th. Her legal team and network of supporters are fighting to have her released from prison and off of death row.
Her legal team recently filed a petition to Governor Greg Abbott and the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles to grant Melissa clemency.
They claim that wrongful, coercive tactics were used against her and that misleading information was given during her trial. They also have statements from five jurors on her case that are concerned about withheld evidence that would’ve supported Melissa’s story.
In her documentary The State of Texas v Melissa, director Sabrina Van Tassel created an opportunity for Melissa and her family to properly give their sides of the horrific story.
In addition to her film, Sabrina has created a GoFundMe to raise money for Melissa’s media campaign and to send funds for her to use in prison.
Sabrina writes about how crucial it is that people spread the word about Melissa’s story before it is too late, saying that we must “Shed light to her egregious miscarriage of justice.”
To read more about Melissa’s story, visit the link here.
