Mother to spend life in prison
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Patrick C. McDonnell
El Paso Times
After deliberating for only 25 minutes Saturday, a 346th District Court jury sentenced 25-year-old Martha Melendez to life in prison for murdering her 20-month-old child, said Renee Railey, spokeswoman for District Attorney Jaime Esparza.
Melendez did not show up for the verdict Friday or her sentencing Saturday, and police have a warrant for her arrest.
She had been free on a $200,000 bond and had been wearing a monitoring device, authorities said.
2000 Oct 8