On Thursday, September 25 , Rafael Govea Romero accepted plea deals on three charges, two regarding the December 5, 2023 murder of Edna teen Lizbeth Medina, and one regarding a previous burglary at the same Edna home, in November prior.
He pleaded guilty to Murder, a first-degree felony, with an affirmative finding of a deadly weapon (a sharp object), in exchange for a life sentence, with the possibility of parole after 30 years, with credit for 656 days already served.
He accepted a second life sentence, with the possibility of parole after 30 years, for Aggravated Robbery causing Serious Bodily Injury, with an affirmative finding of a deadly weapon (a blunt object).
This is another first-degree felony, for which he will receive credit for 656 days already served.
Those two life sentences will run concurrently.
Romero also agreed to a 20-year sentence for Burglary of a Habitation, which will run consecutively, meaning he must complete previous sentences before this one is implemented, and will receive no time served for this offense. He also waived his right to appeal, agreed to pay court costs and court-appointed attorney’s fees, and is forbidden to contact any of Lizbeth’s immediate family members directly or indirectly.
Lizbeth was found dead in December of 2023 after she failed to show up to the Lighted Christmas Parade to cheer with her fellow Edna Cheerleaders.
The killing making national headlines. Romero was arrested just days later, and confessed to the killing.
According to David Maly, the attorney representing the Medina family, Romero could be eligible for parole in just over 30 years total, depending on behavior and other factors.
Maly explained Romero must serve 30 years of the concurrent sentences, and a quarter of his third sentence, which could also be shortened for good behavior and other factors to be decided within the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. All considered, Maly said, the earliest possible release for Romero could be just over 30 years. It is also, however, possible he could spend the rest of his life in prison.
Parole decisions are made inside the prison system, and predictions as to whether or not one will be released on parole once eligible are not typically made by the court.
Romero was in the United States on an expired work visa, meaning that should he ever be released, he would likely be immediately deported to Mexico.
In her victim’s impact statement Lizbeth’s mother Jacqueline Medina said that her daughter was her best friend and asked the court to reject the plea and instead sentence Romero to either life without the possibility of parole, or the death penalty.
“Half of me is missing,” she said, as she spoke of her relationship with her daughter and their “you and me against the world” mentality. She told of Lizbeth’s tenacious nature and her plans to become a nurse in the future.
In a press release on Thursday, Assistant District Attorney Stephen Tyler said that the District Attorney’s Office “takes all crime seriously, particularly crime against persons, and especially murder.”
Tyler clarified that no other plea deal had been considered, referencing early reports that the plea was in exchange for a 30year sentence, as opposed to possible parole around 30 years in.
Accompanied by her attorney after the judgment, Jacqueline said she was upset at the possibility of Romero ever getting out of prison, and said “it’s in God’s hands.”
Jacqueline also thanked law enforcement, specifically naming Jackson County Sheriff Rick Boone and the Texas Rangers, for their work in this case.
