Thirty years following the reign of the pop singer and Tejano icon
Selena Quintanilla-Pérez
was killed, the person responsible for her death is currently being considered for parole.
Yolanda Saldívar, who is 64 years old, is presently incarcerated for life due to her involvement in the murder. The artist, known as a crossover sensation, passed away almost three decades ago, specifically on March 31, 1995, at the age of 23, in Corpus Christi, Texas.
As per the Texas Department of Criminal Justice
records
, Saldívar will become eligible for parole on March 30, and she is
Currently undergoing the parole review process.
.
Begin your day with more knowledge. Receive all essential news directly in your inbox every morning.
Here’s what you should know regarding Selena’s passing and Saldívar’s attempt at parole.
Who was Selena Quintanilla-Pérez?
Familiar to enthusiasts merely as
Selena
, Quintanilla-Pérez was a
beloved Tejano musician
transformed into a crossover superstar. In 1986, she was titled Female Vocalist of the Year at the Tejano Music Awards—a distinction she would receive an additional ten times. Selena took home the Grammy for Best Mexican-American Album in 1994. Her hits such as ”
Como La Flor
” (1992) and ”
I Might Become Enamored
Released posthumously in 1995, this work won over both Spanish and English-speaking listeners equally.
Who was responsible for killing Selena? Can you explain what occurred between Selena and Yolanda Saldívar?
Saldívar was previously the president of the Selena fan club and also served as a manager.
Selena’s
clothing boutiques.
On March 31, 1995, when Saldívar was 34 years old, she fatally shot Selena at a Days Inn Hotel in Corpus Christi, Texas. This occurred after the artist discovered that Saldívar had been misusing funds. The musician passed away less than two weeks shy of her 24th birthday.
The film about Selena starring Jennifer Lopez was released two years following her passing.
In 1997, Warner Bros. released the movie “Selena,” which chronicles the life, career, and demise of the singer, featuring
Jennifer Lopez
This role marked her breakthrough performance. The movie played a crucial part in propelling Lopez to fame following her appearance as a Fly Girl dancer on the television show “In Living Color,” which was a creation of the Wayans clan known for their comedic sketches. She subsequently appeared in several minor films such as “My Family” and “Money Train.”
Will the person who killed Selena, Yolanda Saldívar, be granted parole?
Saldívar can now apply for parole for the first time. Should it be approved, she would transition to serving out her remaining sentence under supervised release within the community.
If parole is denied, her subsequent review will be scheduled between one to five years from the date of the decision, according to an unsigned email sent earlier this year by a representative of the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles to the Times-Caller, which is part of the USA TODAY Network. The exact duration within that range would be decided by the parole board.
In the course of determining parole, a parole officer from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice conducts an interview with the inmate to compile a report summarizing the case for the board. The ultimate decision rests with a panel consisting of three members; these members can choose to personally meet with the inmate as well as those in favor of or opposed to releasing them. Prior to considering an inmate’s parole eligibility, the families of victims are informed accordingly.
The parole board takes into account the severity of the crime, statements from supporters or opponents, how long the sentence was and what portion has been completed, along with previous criminal records, behavior within prison facilities, and the individual’s age.
Parole may be withheld due to multiple factors such as evidence suggesting a likelihood of engaging in criminal activities based on previous conduct, posing an ongoing risk to community safety, showing blatant disrespect for the well-being and security of others, or failing to take part in or successfully finish rehabilitation programs offered during incarceration.
The board typically casts their vote on a case right before the parole eligibility date – for this particular instance, that would be March 30.
In 2019, Saldívar lodged an appeal contesting her conviction and sentencing, as recorded in federal court files. The rejected appeal contained papers indicating that a pair of sneakers worn by the victim during the killing was not presented as evidence throughout Saldívar’s trial. She argued that if those shoes had been admitted, the defense might have possibly undermined the claim that she fired the shots.
Quintanilla-Pérez
intentionally.
Saldívar’s appeals have not proven fruitful.
Selena Quintanilla songs
A few of Selena’s most popular tracks consist of “Como La Flor,” “I Could Fall In Love,” and “Dreaming of You.” Before embarking on a solo career, Selena along with her family members—performing together as Selena y Los Dinos—released twelve studio albums, twenty-four singles, and seven promo releases.
” Dreaming of You,” her fifth and concluding solo record, which was released four months following her demise, reached number one on both the Billboard Top Latin Albums chart and the Billboard 200 chart, marking the first time a primarily Spanish-language album achieved such a feat.
Contributors: Taijuan Moorman, USA TODAY; John Oliva, Corpus Christi Caller Times
The article initially appeared on USA TODAY:
Will the person who killed Selena Quintanilla be freed? Yolando Saldívar has her parole hearing coming up this week.
