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A Texas mother is outraged after discovering that the man accused of murdering her 16-year-old daughter has accepted a plea deal, which could eventually lead to his release.
The victim, Lizbeth Medina, a high school cheerleader and future nurse, was discovered deceased in the bathtub of their Edna residence by her mother, Jacqueline Medina, on December 5, 2023.
The suspect, Rafael Govea Romero, a Mexican national residing in the U.S. on an expired visa, was apprehended and charged with the heinous crime of capital murder.
Following his arrest, he was placed on an ICE detainer as officials learned of his illegal status.
Romero’s trial was originally set for later this year, but on Thursday, he pleaded guilty and accepted a deal from prosecutors in Jackson County.
He agreed to serve two life sentences—one for murder and another for aggravated robbery—along with an additional 20-year term for burglary, which will follow.
However, under Texas law, Romero will be eligible for parole after 30 years.
Now, even as parole is not guaranteed, Jacqueline said just granting her daughter’s killer the possibility is unacceptable.
The details of Lizbeth Medina’s tragic discovery by her mother are reiterated, emphasizing the gravity of the incident.
The background of Rafael Govea Romero, including his status as a Mexican citizen living in the U.S. illegally, is again noted in connection with the serious charges against him.
‘Hearing this plea deal made me understand that we can just throw it out, throw any case out, just give a plea deal… like if it was nothing,’ she told The Independent.
‘Lizbeth wasn’t just a name that everybody’s hearing,’ she added. ‘She was a person. She was my daughter. She was my everything, my world.’
Jacqueline said that she first learned about the ‘sweetheart’ deal on Monday.
She also said that after learning of the deal, she and her attorney attempted to meet with Assistant District Attorney Stephen Tyler and District Attorney Pam Guenther, but both allegedly refused to see her.
In a statement released Thursday afternoon, the Jackson County Criminal District Attorney’s Office defended the plea agreement.
‘This was the only offer ever discussed or conveyed and was discussed with all parties for over six months,’ the statement read.
While parole is not guaranteed, Lizbeth’s mother, Jacqueline Medina, said just granting her daughter’s killer the possibility is unacceptable
On the day of the murder, Lizbeth failed to show up to a Christmas parade with her cheer squad, with her teammates claiming they hadn’t heard from the teen since 7:30 that morning
Her mother went home to check on her daughter, only to find her brutally stabbed in the bathtub
‘The Jackson County Criminal District Attorney’s Office takes all crime seriously, particularly crime against persons, and especially murder. Any media reports to the contrary were at best premature.’
Romero was located in Schulenburg – about 60 miles from the crime scene – after local police received a tip, several days after the slain cheerleader was discovered.
According to court documents, he later confessed to the murder, and investigators uncovered evidence that he had exhibited stalking-like behavior in the days leading up to the crime.
Surveillance footage captured a silver car driving through the Cottonwood Apartments complex – where Lizbeth and her mother lived – around 10 p.m. the night before the 16-year-old was found.
Police now believe that car was connected to Romero.
A month earlier, on November 13, there had been a burglary at the same apartment, which investigators have also linked to Romero.
Romero was located in Schulenburg – about 60 miles from the crime scene – after local police received a tip, several days after the slain cheerleader was discovered
He later confessed to the murder, and investigators uncovered evidence that he had exhibited stalking-like behavior in the days leading up to the crime
Surveillance footage captured a silver car driving through the the apartment complex – where Lizbeth and her mother lived – around 10 p.m. the night before the 16-year-old was found
On the day of the murder, Lizbeth failed to show up to a Christmas parade with her cheer squad, with her teammates claiming they hadn’t heard from the teen since 7:30 that morning.
Following the news and several unanswered phone calls, her mother went home to check on Lizbeth – only to find her daughter brutally stabbed in the bathtub.
Romero, then just 23 years old, had a prior criminal history.
Texas Department of Public Safety records show he was charged with felony burglary of a habitation in Schulenburg in October 2022. He pleaded no contest in April 2023 and was sentenced to five years probation and fined $2,000, The Independent reported.
