HOUSTON – A mother’s search for justice continues as the trial for Rafael Romero, the man accused of murdering 16-year-old Lizbeth Medina, has been delayed.
The beloved Edna High School cheerleader’s mother, Jacqueline Medina, expressed heartbreak and frustration over the postponement.
“I feel heartbroken and just very disappointed,” Medina said. “I was looking forward to this day in court to finally see some justice for my daughter.”
Romero faces a capital murder charge in connection with Lizbeth’s death on Dec. 5, 2023. The delay stems from motions filed by Romero’s defense team.
According to a Motion for Continuance, on Oct. 28, 2024, the defense counsel received discovery that amounts to nearly 400 gigabytes of information. They noted it is a large amount of data and will take a significant amount of time to review and analyze.
On Oct. 31, 2024, Romero’s defense filed a Motion for Evaluation of Insanity by Behavioral Health Professional. They said this is a needed evaluation, and additional time will be required for this evaluation to occur and for the report to be completed.
“It’s just frustrating and devastating, because those who know what happened know that this person is no way insane. He knew what he was doing,” Medina said.
Romero’s attorneys argue his rights were violated during his arrest and subsequent investigation.
His defense filed a motion to suppress statements he made after his arrest, alleging that officers failed to properly deliver his Miranda rights. They argue that any statements he provided were not knowingly and voluntarily made.
According to the arrest affidavit, Romero confessed to Lizbeth’s murder during questioning. Investigators also reportedly found items belonging to Lizbeth in Romero’s bedroom, which the defense claims were obtained through an unlawful search.
“What About My Daughter?”
Jacqueline Medina, still mourning her daughter’s loss, expressed anger over the defense’s arguments.
“It makes me mad,” she said. “What about my daughter? She had the right to be safe at home. She had the right to live her life freely, and he took that from her.”
Medina said she and her daughter had never seen Romero before her murder, but investigators believe he had been stalking Lizbeth. On the day she was killed, Medina found her daughter’s body in their bathtub, with multiple stab wounds, after she failed to show up for a Christmas parade where she was scheduled to perform.
Romero’s arrest followed a days-long manhunt that ended in Schulenberg. Investigators put an ICE detainer on Romero because he had an expired visa. He is being held in the Jackson County Jail on a capital murder charge with a $2 million bond.
Medina hopes the trial will eventually provide the answers she seeks about her daughter’s final moments.
“I want to know just exactly what happened,” she said. “As a mother, to think about what kind of pain he put my daughter through… I just want to know. Maybe it will help me, but every mother wants to know the whys.”
Regardless of the delay, Medina said she will not stop fighting for justice for Lizbeth.
“I just want to let the people know that we are the voice for Lizbeth. And if anybody wants to join me in this fight, that they can join me in this fight,” Medina said.
The trial has been rescheduled for early February. KPRC 2 reached out to Romero’s defense team for comment but has not received a response.