The State of Texas vs. Melissa

A slow-paced film but important in understanding how the State of Texas botched this case and how almost any parent could end up in Melissa's shoes through over-zealous law enforcement interviews and various court system glitches and misunderstandings of evidence. Was Melissa a good mom? No, not always, but it's unlikely that she's 100% responsible for her daughter's death. When there's doubt, there must be compassion for all involved.

This film is beautifully done. It is an act of kindness. Of solidarity. For anyone that can't slow themselves down to watch it all the way through, please just give Melissa Lucio three minutes of your life by watching from 12:25 through 9:25. Those three minutes prove that this was NOT child abuse. Melissa became the perfect scapegoat for a desperate politician. The timing was perfect. The story, the agenda, worked. She was poor. She wasn't the best mother. But she's not a criminal. The classic scenario of people believing what they want to believe. Of believing what they are told. Of poverty not winning. Of a family being pulled apart and destroyed at the hands of power.

This is the story of a little girl, a happy girl, whose light was repeatedly dimmed by the men who took advantage of her. She had no strength or trust to reach outside of her sunken self for help. She had left home at 16 to get away from her abuser. She married an abuser. Her youngest child had met a very sad and tragic fate. She had a left foot that was prone to making her fall.

No one had ever reported any abuse in the household. Ever. Statistics show this to be unusual. Things don't match up for a reason. And NONE of her children or family members were allowed to testify on her behalf. A woman isn't guilty just because she had 14 children in poverty. Because she had some of the older kids watch the younger ones. That's not equivalent to a death sentence. With no research.

This was not justice. This was injustice. It still is.

Thank you Sabrina. Good work.

It's no surprise to find our judicial system is so broken and corrupt. Given that the sorry DA is serving time, she should have given a new trial or dismal. I don't buy the "defense" attorney should also be placed under a microscope. "Never thought" he'd be working for the DA is bull. Totally obvious why he let this case flop. May all those "men" involved feel the wrath of those children who lost out. The film once again displays where we as a society fail.

I gave it an eight based on the story but was reluctant. It made me upset that they made it appear that Harlingen is enormous when they filmed multiple cities in the Rio Grande Valley.

Regardless of your impression of the cinematic qualities of this documentary, it is worth your time. It was made out of a sense of urgency as the subject was facing a death penalty for a crime that her state couldn't prove she committed.

Get uncomfortable and watch this. You may feel compelled to do something about injustice.

The State of Texas vs. Melissa Lucio is by far one of the best and most educational documentaries out there. Our corrupt "justice" system is quick to abuse the poor and the powerless. This documentary can really make a difference. It's a must watch!