TX - Lizbeth Medina, 16, high school cheerleader, found dead in bedroom, murder suspect arrested - Edna, 5 Dec 2023

[justtrish]

The Fayette County Record has a big story about his prior robbery in Schulenberg where he was sentenced to a 5 year deferred sentence, but placed on probation. That robbery happened in September of 2022 (arrested Oct/ 2022) and IIRC they sentenced him in April of 2023.



He also was not allowed to leave the county except for work (with permission).


He committed that robbery and stole numerous items including an air compressor.



Edit to add:

He lived in a trailer park on the outskirts of town

Thanks for this information!

 

[Cryptic]

Is it possible that his first arrest was before his visa expired? I admit I don’t know much about immigration law and I feel that it varies a lot state-to-state, but if someone has a valid visa does it mean that they are able to bail out on “minor” criminal charges and remain in the country? The visa could have then subsequently expired and caused him to have “undocumented” status.

Immigration law is federal and covers the entire country. Then, things get complicated.

Though states and local jurisdictions can not make immigration law, they can, as you alluded to, decide on how readily they facilitate its enforcement. Likewise, the actual enforcement of immigration laws can be given different priorities in Washington.

The result is that there can be alot of differences between what immigration laws say and what actually happens in regards to deportations.

 

[dotr]

Unrelated, but coincidentally, there was a very recent arrest of a man in Mexico, for the 1995 cold case killing of a teenaged cheerleader in Texas.

Officials arrest man accused of shooting Galena Park HS cheerleader at park 28 years ago

Nineteen-year-old Kristie Martin was shot in Terrace Park just days before Christmas 28 years ago, and police closed the case. But recently, FBI Houston announced the arrest of a suspect found in Mexico City.

abc13.com

''In a significant breakthrough in a decades-old cold case, Jose Luis Rios, aged 47, was recently arrested and extradited from Mexico for the murder of 19-year-old cheerleader Kristie Martin. The incident occurred on December 23, 1995, sending shockwaves through the community. After nearly 28 years, justice may finally be served.''

 

[IDK]

DBM- off topic

 

[Trino]

Immigration law is federal and covers the entire country. Then, things get complicated.

Though states and local jurisdictions can not make immigration law, they can, as you alluded to, decide on how readily they facilitate its enforcement. Likewise, the actual enforcement of immigration laws can be given different priorities in Washington.

The result is that there can be alot of differences between what immigration laws say and what actually happens in regards to deportations.

Most overstays aren't treated as real criminal cases. If the overstay is 180 days or less, it can be forgiven. I don't know about real criminal cases.

 

[10ofRods]

Most overstays aren't treated as real criminal cases. If the overstay is 180 days or less, it can be forgiven. I don't know about real criminal cases.

Because visa violations, while illegal, are not part of the criminal code. There are a wide of range of non-legal activities that are not treated as criminal in the US (such as code or health violations - unless warnings are given and even then, it's rare - never happens where I live).

 

[Cryptic]

Most overstays aren't treated as real criminal cases. If the overstay is 180 days or less, it can be forgiven.

In the end, the perpetrator has two immigration issues:

- Overstaying: As you stated, purely administrative. Though I am vaguely aware that they are tracked and it can be more difficult to get another visa if an overstay leaves, then attempts to return.

- Committing serious criminal acts (robbery- and now, murder) as a non citizen: This very likely is described in the criminal code. The stated immigration penalty for the robbery is deportation.

But, actually implementing it is uhmm...... "complicated". As he was not deported, he moved on to murder.

 

[Caylee Advocate]

Thanks for this information!

YW.

 

[10ofRods]

Most overstays aren't treated as real criminal cases. If the overstay is 180 days or less, it can be forgiven. I don't know about real criminal cases.

It would be awful if other nations treated visa issues as criminal matters.

Americans would be in all manner of jails all around the world, if so. I mean, some nations DO take a draconian view of the matter, but if Canada decided to real lay into us Americans when we overstay our 180 days or whatever it is - well, that would be an international incident. There can be consequences, of course - but not usually criminal ones, thankfully.

Criminal activity while visiting as a non-citizen is a different thing altogether. Hopefully, this criminal will get LWOP (or worse and spend it in the Texas system.

IMO

 

[PrairieWind]

In the end, the perpetrator has two immigration issues:

- Overstaying: As you stated, purely administrative. Though I am vaguely aware that they are tracked and it can be more difficult to get another visa if an overstay leaves, then attempts to return.

- Committing serious criminal acts (robbery- and now, murder) as a non citizen: This very likely is described in the criminal code. The stated immigration penalty for the robbery is deportation.

But, actually implementing it is uhmm...... "complicated". As he was not deported, he moved on to murder.

It is very frustrating. Here on a visa and then convicted of a felony. So not only does he no longer have a visa, her isn't qualified to obtain a visa.

 

[PrairieWind]

It would be awful if other nations treated visa issues as criminal matters.

Americans would be in all manner of jails all around the world, if so. I mean, some nations DO take a draconian view of the matter, but if Canada decided to real lay into us Americans when we overstay our 180 days or whatever it is - well, that would be an international incident. There can be consequences, of course - but not usually criminal ones, thankfully.

Criminal activity while visiting as a non-citizen is a different thing altogether. Hopefully, this criminal will get LWOP (or worse and spend it in the Texas system.

IMO

I agree that we have better things to do than chase down folks who overstay visas. But in this case, he had been arrested, and then convicted of a felony. He is already in custody. He doesn't qualify for a visa, he doesn't qualify for amnesty, he can't get citizenship. And now a girl is dead. It is easy to see why people are angry.

 

[10ofRods]

I agree that we have better things to do than chase down folks who overstay visas. But in this case, he had been arrested, and then convicted of a felony. He is already in custody. He doesn't qualify for a visa, he doesn't qualify for amnesty, he can't get citizenship. And now a girl is dead. It is easy to see why people are angry.

Oh, I totally agree. And I"m surprised that Texas can't do better. He was not in custody recently - but he should have been (and then deported, obviously).

He didn't qualify for any visa extension, etc. But no one deported him. Of course people are angry. But supposedly, TX is hardline on this - but still lacks the money and bureaucratic clout to actually do anything about the problem.

He should have been in jail - in Texas - for his existing felony (and then deported).

IMO.

 

[PrairieWind]

Oh, I totally agree. And I"m surprised that Texas can't do better. He was not in custody recently - but he should have been (and then deported, obviously).

He didn't qualify for any visa extension, etc. But no one deported him. Of course people are angry. But supposedly, TX is hardline on this - but still lacks the money and bureaucratic clout to actually do anything about the problem.

He should have been in jail - in Texas - for his existing felony (and then deported).

IMO.

I think the mess is in that Texas can't deport him. Immigration has to do that. But that system is just broken, for a lot of reasons. But then, how does a defendant get probation when that person can't legally be in the country. He is instantly and automatically in violation of terms of probation. It is just insanity.

 

[Cryptic]

But then, how does a defendant get probation when that person can't legally be in the country. He is instantly and automatically in violation of terms of probation. It is just insanity.

Probation is a an assessment made by the county court and is independent of his federal immigration status (federal law).

My understanding is that ICE asks all jurisdictions to inform them of apparently illegal indviiduals with serious violations. Some jurisdictions do so sytematically, others categoricaly refuse (sanctuary cities). Rural Texas could well be in the "notify" category.

But.... then factor in that different priorities can be given to immigration enforcement by Washington. Thus, just because ICE is called does not mean that the ICE van shows up and collects him for out processing.

 

[10ofRods]

I think the mess is in that Texas can't deport him. Immigration has to do that. But that system is just broken, for a lot of reasons. But then, how does a defendant get probation when that person can't legally be in the country. He is instantly and automatically in violation of terms of probation. It is just insanity.

Yes, it's sort of the same here in California, although we do manage (through good relationships with the Mexican Consulate) to release a fair number of parolees into Mexico (transferred and detained there through , reprocessed, and then let loose in Mexico - not deported).

Unfortunately, some of them come back illegally (and not just to California). And their border crossings are truly illegal, as both Mexican and US law prohibit them under the terms of their sentencing and parole, as I understand it. OTOH, a lot of them don't come back. When they re-offend in Mexico (if they do), things don't go well for them IMO.

The whole tension caused by parolees staying in the US when they are out of status (which also happens here in California) is just crazy. Double binding. So many things to fix.

 

[PrairieWind]

Probation is a an assessment made by the county court and is independent of his federal immigration status (federal law).

My understanding is that ICE asks all jurisdictions to inform them of apparently illegal indviiduals with serious violations. Some jurisdictions do so sytematically, others categoricaly refuse (sanctuary cities). Rural Texas could well be in the "notify" category.

But.... then factor in that different priorities can be given to immigration enforcement by Washington. Thus, just because ICE is called does not mean that the ICE van shows up and collects him for out processing.

Yes, this is what I am saying. But we need to take a step back and look at what is happening here. The state court would normally give probation. But one condition of probation is not violate any laws. The court, prosecutor etc know he is hear illegally. But they do it anyway. As this was Texas, I am certain ICE was notified. But the political headbutting between Texas and the Administration leads me to believe that ICE just never picked him up or ordered him detained. I am not for rounding up people in immigration sweeps. But this was a guy arrested and convicted on a felony. This was a no brainer.

 

[tlcya]

Mother finds 16-year-old daughter murdered in bathtub of Texas apartment

Texas high school cheerleader found dead in her apartment as family believes she was murdered

Wanted to bring Lizbeth to the forefront of the conversation once again.

Beautiful young lady. Who knows what she would have become and gone on to do with her life? A life interrupted.

 

[SouthAussie]

The man charged with Lizbeth Medina’s murder showed “stalking-like behavior” before killing the 16-year-old Edna girl, investigators said in court documents.

Surveillance video from Lizbeth’s neighbor at Cottonwood Apartments led authorities to believe the man drove through the complex’s parking lot the night before the girl’s death.

Police said items were missing from the apartment, including Lizbeth’s phone and wallet.

Lizbeth’s friend said she texted her deceased friend’s phone and received a reply. Lizbeth’s boyfriend also said he received a reply to a text sent to her phone that day, police said.

According to the affidavit, numerous items were found in Romero’s bedroom belonging to Lizbeth, which connected the man to her murder.

Man charged with Lizbeth Medina's murder stalked apartment night before, police say

"It was believed that the suspect was planning his crime and/or stalking his future victim(s)," Detective Stacy Cavazos said about Rafael Govea Romero in court documents.

www.victoriaadvocate.com

 

[dotr]

rbbm.

Man charged with Lizbeth Medina's murder stalked apartment night before, police say

"It was believed that the suspect was planning his crime and/or stalking his future victim(s)," Detective Stacy Cavazos said about Rafael Govea Romero in court documents.

www.victoriaadvocate.com

''Inside the apartment, Lizbeth had stab wounds, including at least one to her abdomen, and was soaking wet, which led investigators to believe her body had been washed of evidence after her death, the detective said in the affidavit. A preliminary autopsy report from Dec. 8 said the cause of death was “sharp force injuries.”


''The community held a vigil for Lizbeth at the Jackson County Courthouse in Edna on Dec. 9. After 6 p.m. that evening, Lizbeth’s friend said she texted her deceased friend’s phone and received a reply. Lizbeth’s boyfriend also said he received a reply to a text sent to her phone that day, police said.

Investigators said they were concerned Lizbeth’s killer was texting other students.

“I believe the public was in danger due to the stalking-type behavior ...” Cavazos wrote.''

 

[Springrain]

The man charged with Lizbeth Medina’s murder showed “stalking-like behavior” before killing the 16-year-old Edna girl, investigators said in court documents.

Surveillance video from Lizbeth’s neighbor at Cottonwood Apartments led authorities to believe the man drove through the complex’s parking lot the night before the girl’s death.

Police said items were missing from the apartment, including Lizbeth’s phone and wallet.

Lizbeth’s friend said she texted her deceased friend’s phone and received a reply. Lizbeth’s boyfriend also said he received a reply to a text sent to her phone that day, police said.

According to the affidavit, numerous items were found in Romero’s bedroom belonging to Lizbeth, which connected the man to her murder.

Man charged with Lizbeth Medina's murder stalked apartment night before, police say

"It was believed that the suspect was planning his crime and/or stalking his future victim(s)," Detective Stacy Cavazos said about Rafael Govea Romero in court documents.

www.victoriaadvocate.com

All MOO - This REEKS of stalking and obsession to me - I doubt poor Lizbeth had the slightest clue who this man was. At this point there is no doubt in my mind that IMO he was the intruder who broke into the apartment a few weeks before Lizbeth died. I fully believe that he items he stole (going off the assumption that he was the intruder) were very small, essentially worthless items that he stole because they had meaning for him, because they were Lizbeth's. In my opinion he is the type who would steal things like hairbrushes, toothbrushes, socks, small clothing/jewelry items, etc. because they were his victim's.

I have thought from the very beginning of this case that this was a stalking situation and I continue to believe it more and more strongly as we hear additional information. I view him as an evil obsessive type who felt that he was entitled to Lizbeth. JMO