The documentary film “The State of Texas against Mélissa” reveals the investigation of the journalist and documentalist, Sabrina Van Tassel, on the story of Melissa Lucio, the first Hispanic-American woman sentenced to death in Texas.
In 2008, this mother was accused of having abused and killed her 2-year-old daughter. She has 14 children. She takes drugs. She lives on social assistance. His death sentence was pronounced after an expeditious trial. And no media was moved by his fate. Director Sabrina Van Tassel, who is reporting on women on death row, admits she was not attracted to Melissa Lucio’s story. But when she begins to delve into the details of the case, she realizes that this woman is trapped in a deeply unjust justice system.
“In his eyes, I saw all the injustice of the American judicial system which condemns the weakest to get rid of them. Where everyone saw her as a criminal, I saw a sacrificed woman. After a short investigation, it seemed clear that her story was full of gray areas that had never been explored”, explains the filmmaker in a note of intent.
The documentary “The State of Texas against Mélissa”, available on myCANAL from next April 6, begins with Melissa’s confession during her (controversial) interrogation with the police. Then unrolls the thread of a story from which it is impossible to take your eyes off. Forensic pathologists, investigators, lawyers, social services, family members, and especially Melissa Lucio herself, testify in this film which takes an uncompromising look at the American judicial system, and the way in which it is able to crush lives. .
“There is little doubt that if Melissa had been defended as she should have been, she would not be on death row. She might be in jail. Maybe not”, underlines Sabrina Van Tassel.