Judge Declares Melissa Lucio Actually Innocent

Melissa Lucio, a Texas death row inmate convicted in 2008 for the murder of her two-year-old daughter Mariah, has been declared 'actually innocent' by Judge Arturo Nelson, who recommended her conviction be overturned. The judge cited new evidence indicating Mariah's death resulted from an accidental fall, not intentional abuse as previously concluded. This evidence, previously withheld by the prosecution, convinced Nelson that no rational juror would have convicted Lucio had they been aware of it. Lucio's case has garnered support from high-profile advocates, including Kim Kardashian, and is now before the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. The alleged abuse-based conviction was heavily influenced by the testimony of a medical examiner and a Texas Ranger, both of whom have been criticized for their roles in the original trial. Lucio, a mother of 14, has consistently maintained her innocence, claiming that flawed evidence and false testimony led to her wrongful conviction.