Importance Score: 55 / 100 🔵
Yolanda Saldívar Parole Request Rejected Nearly Three Decades After Selena’s Death
Yolanda Saldívar, the former fan club president of the iconic Tejano singer Selena Quintanilla-Pérez, known as the “Queen of Tejano Music,” has been denied early release on parole. This decision comes nearly 30 years after her conviction for the murder of the beloved music star, according to official records from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. The announcement, viewed by E! News on March 27, confirms Saldívar will remain incarcerated.
Parole Eligibility and Decision
Saldívar, now 64, became eligible for parole and submitted her application for early release in January, with March 30 marked as her potential release date. She is currently serving a life sentence for the fatal shooting of Selena Quintanilla-Pérez. The tragic incident occurred on March 31, 1995, at a Days Inn motel in Corpus Christi, Texas. Selena, at the time of her untimely death, was only 23 years old and at the peak of her career.
Background of the Crime
The events leading up to the deadly confrontation involved financial discrepancies and professional discord. Just days prior to the tragic shooting, Selena and her husband, Chris Pérez, relieved Saldívar of her duties managing the singer’s boutiques. The dismissal stemmed from accusations of embezzlement, adding another layer of complexity to the already strained relationship.
Saldívar’s Appeals and Claims
In the years following her conviction, Saldívar has maintained a degree of consistency in her narrative. Back in 1998, she launched an appeal against the guilty verdict. Throughout this process, she has asserted that the shooting of Selena was unintentional, claiming she “did not intend” to commit murder when she discharged the weapon that struck the singer in the back.