The State of Texas vs. Melissa is a documentary film that explores the case of Melissa Lucio, a Hispanic mother of 14 children who was convicted of murdering her two-year-old daughter, Mariah, in 2008. Lucio was sentenced to death in 2009, becoming the first Hispanic woman to receive the death penalty in Texas.
The film examines the evidence presented during Lucio's trial and raises questions about the quality of her legal representation, the reliability of the witness testimony, and the role of systemic racism in the criminal justice system. It also sheds light on Lucio's difficult life circumstances, including poverty, abuse, and addiction, and raises important questions about the impact of these factors on her ability to receive a fair trial.
The director of the film, Sabrina Van Tassel, spent six years investigating Lucio's case and interviewing her family members, legal team, and advocates. The film features interviews with experts in the fields of law, criminology, and social justice, as well as with members of Lucio's community who believe in her innocence.
The State of Texas vs. Melissa is a powerful exposé of the flaws and injustices of the American criminal justice system, and a moving portrait of a woman who has been fighting for her life for over a decade. The film premiered at the 2020 Tribeca Film Festival and has received critical acclaim for its powerful storytelling and incisive analysis of the issues at stake.
