Accused killer of Lizbeth Medina indicted for Capital Murder

Contributing Writer 

The man accused of murdering Edna teen Lizbeth Medina on December 5 has been indicted by a Jackson County grand jury on one count of Capital Murder. 

The indictment, dated February 5, charges Rafael Govea Romero with intentionally causing the death of Medina while in the course of committing or attempting to commit burglary, robbery, or aggravated sexual assault. 

The indictment accuses Romero of causing Medina's head to strike a firm surface, striking her head with "a hard object unknown to the grand jury," and "repeatedly stabbing or cutting Lizbeth Iniguez Medina with a sharp object or edged weapon, unknown to the grand jury."

Romero, an immigrant who overstayed a work visa, was arrested five days after 16-year-old Medina was found dead in her apartment after missing school and a Christmas Parade she was set to perform in with her fellow Edna Cowboys Cheerleaders. 

Police have not released a motive for the crime, but when he was arrested, Romero was found to be in possession of property that had disappeared from the apartment in a separate break-in prior to the murder, as well as personal property of Lizbeth's like her wallet and cell phone, which friends say he answered calls and text messages to.

Romero is being held in the Jackson County jail. His bond is set at $2 million, but due to his immigration status he is being held on an immigration hold and won't be permitted to bond out.