August 11 is the new trial date for Rafael Govea Romero, who is accused of murdering Edna teen Lizbeth Medina in December of 2023. The trial was previously scheduled for February 10, but attorneys said they need more time for discovery and preparation. The new trial date was requested by defense attorneys Ross Reifel and Chris Iles, and agreed upon by the prosecution. Judge Jack Marr approved the continuance.
“It’s taken maybe longer than any of us want,” said Lizbeth’s mother, Jacqueline Medina, “but I trust that justice will prevail.”
Romero has been deemed fit to stand trial after previous dates were reset to allow time for an assessment.
Romero, a Mexico native who is in the United States on an expired visa, is accused of stabbing 16-year-old Lizbeth to death on December 5, 2023. Lizbeth’s mother and friends became concerned when she did not show up with her fellow Edna High School cheerleaders for the city’s Lighted Christmas Parade.
She was found that evening stabbed to death in her home.
Two pretrial dates in May and June have also been scheduled to allow for motions and other necessary procedures prior to the trial.
Docket Highlights 02/06/2025
Jackson County District Court Judge Julie Bauknight Presiding Ramon Palacios, accused of the murder of Roseann Martinez in August of 2024 was reset for the April 10 non jury docket. A trial date has not been set.
An attorney for Jose Miguel “Mike” Salazar, accused of the murder of his girlfriend Jasmine Ramirez in November of 2024, asked Judge Julie Bauknight to release equipment from his work truck to his employer. The motion was denied, after Assistant District Attorney Stephen Tyler argued the vehicle and its contents are still part of the investigation. The case was reset for a later date.
Former Edna ISD coach Logan O’Connor, accused of Inappropriate Relationship Between Educator and Student, Online Solicitation of a Minor and Sexual Performance of a Child appeared briefly in the courtroom and received a reset order for a future date. Edward Charles Francis was convicted of Continuous Sexual Assault of a Child and sentenced to 25 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
Three victim impact statements were read in the courtroom.
One victim, a child, said, “I came here to show you I am not scared of you anymore.”
Melissa Lynn Walker, sentenced in December to 25 years in TDCJ for Intentional and Knowing Bodily Injury to a Child, has petitioned for a new trial. Multiple people were subpoenaed to appear in court in the matter. All were instructed to return for a hearing on Feb 27.
