Statement From the Family of Melissa Lucio on the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals’ Ruling
This week, a sharply divided Texas Court of Criminal Appeals did not accept the recommendation of the 138th Judicial District Court of Cameron Country that Melissa Lucio is actually innocent and did not kill her daughter, Mariah.
09.24.26 By Innocence Staff
Melissa Lucio with her children Alex, Selena, Daniela, John, and Melissa (Image courtesy of Lucio family)
(September 24, 2026) In response to the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals’ ruling rejecting a trial judge’s recommendation that Melissa Lucio is actually innocent, her family released the following statement:
To All Our Beloved Ones Family In CHRIST & All Of Our Dear Supporters Of Our Innocent Momma Bear Melissa Elizabeth Lucio
Sadly Today We Did Receive Some Devastating News That We Were Not Expecting To Ever See or Hear Again Especially After Spending Nearly 2 Decades (20 Years) On Death Row For A Crime We Know Our Innocent Momma Bear Never Committed!!! It Is Not What We Expected As We Had Already Had Ongoing Plans Involving GOD On How We Would Reunite The Day She Was Set Free But Sadly This Morning The TCCA (Texas Court Of Criminal Appeals) Denied Her Innocence With 9 Judges Ruling On Her Case 5 Opposing Her & 4 Granting Her Innocence.. We Are Heartbroken & At A Loss For Words… Our Families Pain Has Gone On For Too Long & She Isn’t The Only One Suffering… As Our Family Tries To Understand This Outcome We Need To Continue To Keep Strong Not Only For Ourselves But For Our Momma Bear Melissa Elizabeth Lucio Who Continues To Need Our Love & Support
This Fight Is Yet Not Over & We Will Continue To Fight This Fight With You Mother. Please Continue To Pray For Our Family…
John and Michelle Lucio
Read a statement from Vanessa Potkin, one of Ms. Lucio’s attorneys and Innocence Project’s director of special litigation, in response to the ruling here.
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