The Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles is considering the early release of Yolanda Saldívar, who was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of singer Selena Quintanilla in 1995. After three decades in prison, Saldívar is scheduled for a parole hearing on March 30.
Abraham Quintanilla, Selena's father, has made it clear in several interviews that the family is strongly opposed to any possibility of Saldívar's release. "There is no remorse that can bring Selena back to us," he expressed. Fans of the artist have shown their outrage on social media and are promoting campaigns for the authorities not to grant parole to Saldívar.
Legal experts point out that the chances of Saldívar being released are minimal due to the severity of the crime and media pressure. It is important to consider various factors such as behavior in prison, the impact of the crime on the community, and Saldívar's willingness to reintegrate into society.
Yolanda Saldívar, 63 years old, has claimed for years that the shot that ended Selena's life was accidental. However, recently, her family revealed to the New York Post that Saldívar admitted the shot was intentional. This could be part of a strategy for her parole hearing.
During the tragic encounter at a motel in Corpus Christi, Texas, where the fatal incident occurred, according to witness accounts and the accused herself, the meeting between Selena and Saldívar was intended to address financial irregularities in the management of the fan club by Saldívar. The conversation became tense and culminated with Saldívar shooting Selena in the back as she attempted to leave.
In this context, a relative of Saldívar mentioned that she "knows what she did was wrong and takes responsibility, but she was reacting to the way she was confronted." Over the years, Saldívar has maintained her stance that Selena approached her aggressively, which triggered the fateful series of events.