The woman convicted for the murder of Selena in 1995 seeks parole
Yolanda Saldívar, who is serving a life sentence for the murder of Tejano icon Selena in 1995, has filed for parole next year. Inmates reveal that there is a target on her back behind bars.
A representative from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice confirmed that Saldívar, now 64, has a chance for a parole hearing in March as there are no major issues on her record that would prevent it.
On March 31, 1995, Saldívar fatally shot 23-year-old superstar Selena Quintanilla-Perez during a confrontation in a hotel room in Corpus Christi, Texas. Selena suspected Saldívar, a founder of her fan club, of embezzling over $60,000 and was planning to fire her.
According to the TDCJ, Selena’s family will be officially notified in January about Saldívar’s upcoming parole hearing.
Saldívar, who is housed at the Patrick L. O’Daniel Unit in Gatesville, Texas, alongside women on Death Row, has maintained that Selena’s death was accidental and that she did not intend to kill her.
In a prison interview for the Peacock documentary “Selena and Yolanda: The Secrets Between Them,” Saldívar expressed that she meant to harm herself, not Selena, during the incident.
Despite her claims, Saldívar was convicted by a jury and sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 30 years.
A relative of Saldívar mentioned that she feels like a “political prisoner” and believes she has served her time and should be released.
Inmates at the prison where Saldívar is held mentioned that she is a constant target and has to be kept in protective custody due to threats from other inmates.
Selena’s father, Abraham Quintanilla, revealed that other inmates have threatened Saldívar’s life, expressing concerns about her safety.
If released, Saldívar plans to live with relatives and find a job to reintegrate into society.
