Mexican man’s Texas death sentence upheld

HOUSTON (AP) — The conviction of a Mexican national on Texas death row for the slaying and sexual assault of a 17-year-old Austin high school student has been upheld by the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals.

The state’s highest criminal court on Wednesday rejected an appeal from 34-year-old Areli Escobar that contended evidence wasn’t sufficient to establish his guilt for the May 2009 fatal stabbing of Bianca Maldonado. The appeal also contended his trial judge in Austin improperly denied pretrial motions, denied questions during jury selection and wrongly admitted some evidence.

Maldonado was attacked at her apartment. Her year-old child also was injured. Escobar lived in the same complex.

Trial testimony showed Escobar was living in the United States without legal permission. Testimony also showed he had a history of violence.