Yolanda Saldívar, the woman who is serving a life sentence for the murder of Tejano singer Selena in 1995, has filed paperwork in an attempt to get released next year. The Texas Department of Criminal Justice has confirmed that Saldívar has no issues on her record that would prevent the parole board from holding a hearing in March to decide on her release. The murder occurred when Saldívar, who was a founder of Selena’s fan club, shot the singer during a confrontation in a hotel room in Corpus Christi, Texas. Selena suspected Saldívar of embezzling more than $60,000 and was planning to fire her.
Saldívar has always maintained that she did not intend to kill Selena and that her death was accidental. She has expressed her belief that she was convicted by public opinion even before her trial began. Saldívar stated in a prison interview for a documentary that she had meant to kill herself, not Selena, during the incident. However, a jury did not believe her and convicted her, sentencing her to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 30 years. Saldívar feels like a “political prisoner” behind bars and believes that she has paid her debt to society.
Inmates at the prison where Saldívar is housed have mentioned that she is a constant target and is housed in protective custody for her safety. Former inmates have stated that there is a “bounty on her head” and that she is hated by other prisoners. Discussions about seeking justice for Selena and harming Saldívar were common among inmates in the prison yard. Selena’s father, Abraham Quintanilla, has also mentioned receiving threatening letters from other inmates who have expressed their desire to harm Saldívar. The general consensus among inmates is that Saldívar is not safe among the prison population.
Despite the threats and dangers she faces in prison, Saldívar has stated that she plans to live with relatives and find a job if she is released. Her cousin believes that it is time for her to be released from prison as she has already served a significant amount of time. Selena’s family will likely receive official notice of Saldívar’s upcoming parole hearing in January. The parole board will ultimately determine whether Saldívar can be released next year. Saldívar’s case continues to spark interest and controversy as she seeks to be freed from her life sentence for the murder of the beloved Tejano singer, Selena.
