Jackson County: Man pleads guilty, gets two life sentences in death of Edna 16-year-old
Man gets two life sentences for 16-year-old's murder
A man has pleaded guilty and will be serving two life sentences at once for the death of a Jackson County teen. FOX 26's Angie Rodriguez attended the sentencing and spoke to the victim's mother.
EDNA, Texas - A man has officially been given two concurrent life sentences in the 2023 death of an Edna teen.
Lizbeth Medina death: Man sentenced to life
What we know:
According to Jackson County court records, Rafael Govea Romero ped guilty to three charges related to the death of 16-year-old Lizabeth Iniguez Medina: Murder, Aggravated Robbery with a Deadly Weapon, and Burglary of a Habitation.
Romero is ordered to serve two life sentences at the same time for the murder and robbery charges, plus an additional 20 years for the burglary charge.
FOX 26 learned on Wednesday that a plea deal was reached in this case.
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Lizbeth Medina: Plea deal expected in murder of Edna cheerleader
A plea deal has reportedly been reached in the 2023 murder of Edna High School cheerleader Lizbeth Medina.
Death of Lizbeth Medina
The backstory:
Edna police report Lizbeth Medina was found dead at the Cottonwood Apartments on Dec. 6, 2023.
Medina's mother, Jackie Medina, said she found her daughter in the bathtub in the apartment. Jackie said she talked to Lizbeth on the morning she was found dead and became concerned after Lizbeth didn't appear at a Christmas parade that night.
SUGGESTED: Mother of slain Edna cheerleader seeks justice after finding daughter dead
The Edna Police Department and Texas Rangers captured Romero in Schulenburg, Texas, thanks to a tip. His bond was set to $2 million.
A preliminary autopsy report from the Travis County Medical Examiners Office reveals that Medina was stabbed to death.
Murdered Edna cheerleader honored at football game
FOX 26 Reporter Randy Wallace was there as a murdered 16-year-old Edna cheerleader was honored at a football game on Thursday evening.
The Source: Jackson County District Attorney's Office and previous FOX 26 reporting.