Selena’s killer Yolanda Saldívar denied parole after family’s unusual tactic harm already ‘slim’ probability, professional says


THE killer of trailblazing Mexican-American singer Selena Quintanilla has been denied parole, and her household’s egregious feedback to information retailers might have impacted the result, an lawyer mentioned.

A Texas parole panel voted to not launch Yolanda Saldivar, who was the founding father of Selena‘s fan membership, three many years after the now-64-year-old fatally shot the Tejano icon, 23, in a motel in Corpus Christi on March 31, 1995.

Selena Quintanilla-Pérez performing onstage.

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Selena performing onstage in the course of the Houston Livestock Present & Rodeo on the Houston Astrodome in February 1995Credit score: Getty Photos – Getty
Photo of Selena Quintanilla and Yolanda Saldívar smiling together.

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Selena Quintanilla and Yolanda Saldivar, who was the founding father of the singer’s fan membershipCredit score: Oxygen
Mugshot of Yolanda Saldívar.

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Yolanda Saldivar was denied parole on ThursdayCredit score: AP:Related Press
Portrait of Selena Quintanilla held aloft in a crowd of fans.

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A portrait of the late singer Selena seen within the crowd following a posthumous star ceremony for Quintanilla on the Hollywood Stroll of Fame in November 2017Credit score: AP:Related Press

Within the weeks main as much as the parole board’s determination, Saldivar’s household advocated for her launch in a number of information interviews.

The killer’s brother, Armando Saldivar, advised Telemundo that his sister didn’t kill Selena earlier than pleading for her launch, saying she’d served her time.

“She didn’t do it, not as a result of she’s my sister, however she didn’t kill Selena,” Armando mentioned in Spanish.

“She has already performed what she needed to do, depart her alone. Sufficient is sufficient. Sufficient, let her go.”

One other member of the family of Saldivar advised the New York Put up that Selena was accountable for her killing.

“[Yolanda] is aware of what she did was incorrect and he or she takes accountability. However she was confronted,” the unidentified relative mentioned.

“She says that [Selena] got here at her actually aggressively. She was so thrown off with how forceful Selena was being; the whole lot occurred so quick.

“If Selena had confronted her in a different way, this by no means would have occurred.”

‘SLIM TO NONE’

Eric Faddis, a trial lawyer at Varner Faddis Elite Authorized in Colorado, advised The U.S. Solar Saldivar’s household statements main as much as her parole listening to impacted her already slim possibilities at being freed.

“These statements from the household harm her possibilities at being launched,” Faddis mentioned.

“One factor the parole board is taking a look at is whether or not Yolanda is taking accountability, whether or not she’s exhibiting regret and whether or not she has adeptly appreciated the gravity of her conduct,” Faddis mentioned.

“Right here, she has indicated ceaselessly that this was an accident. However the parole board goes to have a look at that lack of accountability, and likewise the information of the homicide through which Yolanda was accused of embezzlement and so she was kind of taking measures for private acquire.”

Faddis beforehand advised The U.S. Solar Saldivar’s possibilities at being launched on parole have been “slim to none” as a result of severity of the case.

“Once we’re speaking a few nationally publicized case and the gorgeous horrendous set of circumstances that led to her incarceration, I feel it is impossible she’ll be launched this time round,” he advised The U.S. Solar earlier than Thursday’s ruling was introduced.

Headshot of Erik Faddis.

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Trial lawyer Erik Faddis advised The U.S. Solar Yolanda Saldivar’s probability at being launched on parole have been ‘slim to none’Credit score: The U.S. Solar
Selena Quintanilla holding a Grammy award.

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Selena received her first Grammy Award for Greatest Mexican/American Album March 1994Credit score: Getty Photos – Getty

DEATH OF AN ICON

Remembered because the Queen of Tejano Music, Selena‘s musical expertise, vogue, and songs about heartbreak and new love propelled her to superstardom among the many rising Latino inhabitants within the US within the ’90s, shattering obstacles for Latin girls in music.

Selena emerged on the forefront of the Tejano music growth within the early Nineties with songs like Bidi Bidi Bom Bom, Amor Prohibido, Si Una Vez, No Me Queda Mas, and Tu Solo Tu.

Nonetheless, Selena’s life was lower quick as she was on the verge of constructing a breakthrough on a world stage and on the point of a her first Grammy Award win for Greatest Mexican/American Album in March 1994.

On March 31, 1995, Selena traveled to the Days Inn in Corpus Christi, about two hours south of San Antonio, to select up monetary paperwork from Saldivar, who had been fired by the Quintanilla household after being accused of embezzling cash.

An argument between the 2 ensued, and as Selena turned away in an try to exit the motel room, Saldivar pulled out a .38-caliber revolver and shot her longtime buddy within the again.

Selena was capable of run out of the room; nevertheless, witnesses mentioned they noticed Saldivar emerge from the door with a gun, aiming on the singer, earlier than saying, “b****,” prosecutors mentioned in the course of the homicide trial in October 1995.

Selena managed to make it to the motel’s foyer, the place she collapsed earlier than being transported to the hospital, the place she died.

Yolanda Saldívar at the Selena Quintanilla murder trial.

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Yolanda Saldivar was tried and convicted of first-degree homicide in Houston in October 1995Credit score: KIII TV
Knights Inn motel where Selena was murdered.

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Selena was fatally shot on the Days Inn, now Knights Inn, motel in Corpus Christi, Texas, on March 31, 1995Credit score: Google Maps
Selena Quintanilla performing on stage.

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Tejano singer Selena Quintanilla performs on the Astrodome in the course of the Houston Livestock Present and Rodeo in February 1995Credit score: AP:Related Press
Photo of Selena's family: Chris Perez, Marcela & Abraham Quintanilla, A.B., and Suzette.

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From left to proper: the Quintanilla household: Selena’s then-husband Chris Perez, her mother and father Marcela and Abraham Quintanilla, and siblings A.B. and SuzetteCredit score: Getty – Contributor

POLICE STANDOFF

A nine-hour standoff between Corpus Christi police and Saldivar ensued after authorities arrived on the Days Inn.

Saldivar locked herself in her van and held a gun to her head, claiming she was going to kill herself.

“I did not imply to do it, I did not imply to kill anyone,” a sobbing Saldivar advised police in the course of the standoff.

Saldivar, a former nurse, was finally arrested and charged with first-degree homicide.

After a two-week trial, a Houston jury convicted Saldivar in October 1995.

Saldivar was sentenced to life in jail with the potential of parole after 30 years.

YOLANDA’S PAROLE DENIED

On Thursday, a Texas parole panel refused to launch Saldivar citing the violent nature of the killing as the explanation for its denial.

“After a radical consideration of all accessible data, which included any confidential interviews, it was the parole panel’s willpower to disclaim parole to Yolanda Saldivar and set her subsequent parole evaluate for March 2030,” the board mentioned in an announcement.

“The document signifies that the moment offense has parts of brutality, violence, assaultive conduct or acutely aware choice of sufferer’s vulnerability indicating a acutely aware disregard for the lives, security, or property of others, such that the offender poses a seamless menace to public security.”

Selena’s household and Chris Perez, the singer’s husband on the time, applauded the Texas parole board’s determination and thanked followers for his or her unwavering help.

“Whereas nothing can deliver Selena again, this determination reaffirms that justice continues to face for the gorgeous life that was taken from us and from tens of millions of followers world wide far too quickly,” the assertion from the Quintanilla household and Perez learn.

“Selena’s legacy is one in every of love, music, and inspiration. She lived with pleasure, gave selflessly, and continues to uplift generations along with her voice and her spirit.”

Yolanda Saldivar in prison.

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Yolanda Saldivar spoke out for the primary time in a jailhouse interview with Oxygen in 2024Credit score: Oxygen
Armando Saldívar, Yolanda Saldívar's brother, in an interview.

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Days earlier than the parole determination was made, Armando Saldívar, Yolanda’s brother, advocated for his sister’s launch, saying she had paid her duesCredit score: Telemundo



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