This is one of two articles that got lost in the shuffle (actually buried behind other news I was following) but I have not seen it commented on by others except for local coverage. This case originally was a travesty of justice and I am glad to see the innocent finally freed.
For those that may not remember, it began in 1983 (my sophomore year of college) with the McMartin Preschool case out of California.* Fuel was added by the likes of Mike Warnke, John Todd, Jack Chick, Michelle Smith and of course my buddy Bob Larson; the list is an endless whose who of Christian fundamentalism. Though the flames began to die down in the 90s, the 'San Antonio 4' was one of the last big cases to sweep the nation. About damn time that some true justice has come for Elizabeth Ramirez, Kristie Mayhugh and Cassandra Rivera. Now all they need is a declaration of innocents to complete the process.
The remaining three of four San Antonio women imprisoned for sexually assaulting two girls in 1994 have been freed after a judge agreed that their convictions were tainted by faulty witness testimony.
[“Faulty eyewitness testimony” in other words, "We fucked up, so sorry. Now don't sue our asses."]
Elizabeth Ramirez, Kristie Mayhugh and Cassandra Rivera were released on bond Monday after a judge decided to recommend that an appeals court vacate their 1998 convictions. They were convicted of assaulting two of Ramirez’s nieces, ages 7 and 9, in successive attacks during a week in 1994. The girls testified that the women held them by their wrists and ankles, attacked them and threatened to kill them.
A fourth woman, Anna Vasquez, has already been paroled, but under strict conditions.
“It’s a breath of fresh air,” Vasquez told reporters after defense attorney Mike Ware announced that the three women would be released on their own recognizance later in the day. “It’s an awesome feeling. It’s like a dream come true.”
While the women were not formally declared innocent of the crimes, prosecutors in Bexar County have said they do not intend to retry them if the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals vacates the convictions. Ramirez was given a 37-year prison sentence. Mayhugh, Vasquez and Rivera were given 15-year sentences.
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*To give you and idea of the absurdities of this case it is the one were one child even accused actor Chuck Norris of being one of the abusers.
‘San Antonio 4’ conviction overturned, three women to be freed | www.statesman.com
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