Episode 29: A Media Circus in La Joya

We're going down to far south Texas this week as Erin presents a case from La Joya. When 2-year-old Eliseo Gonzalez suddenly dies, a firestorm of media attention is directed at this tiny town and the little boy's aunt. How does the justice system strain under the suspect's unique circumstances, and how does the media play into how a story is told?

Listen to "Ep 29: A Media Circus in La Joya" on Spreaker.

Sources:

1. 800-pound aunt charged with fatally striking toddler. (2008, March 26). Associated Press. Retrieved from https://www.chron.com/life/mom-houston/article/800-pound-aunt-charged-with-fatally-striking-1779317.php

2. Brezosky, L. (2013, December 4). From the archives: “Half-ton” woman, sister charged in tot’s death. Retrieved from https://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local/article/From-the-archives-Half-ton-woman-sister-5032675.php

3. Campbell, L., Keels, J., & Mireles, T. (2012). Accused: The 74 Stone Babysitter. Retrieved from https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2146718/

4. Eliseo Rosales, Jr (2005-2008). Retrieved from https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/166365088/eliseo-rosales

5. Hritz, A., Blau, M., & Tomeszko, S. (n.d.). False Confessions. Cornell University Law School. Retrieved from https://courses2.cit.cornell.edu/sociallaw/student_projects/FalseConfessions.html

6. Killalea, D. (2015, March 2). Mayra Rosales, nicknamed the ‘half-ton killer’ loses 80 per cent of her body weight. Retrieved from https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/real-life/true-stories/mayra-rosales-nicknamed-the-halfton-killer-loses-80-per-cent-of-her-body-weight/news-story/c20c92e0eb251f569ab142315d75fd5a

7. Obese aunt charged with La Joya death of toddler. (2008, March 26). ABC DFW 13. Retrieved from https://abc13.com/archive/6044323/

8. Owens, R., & Frost, M. (2013, December 2). “Half-Ton Killer” Mayra Rosales Reveals Why She Falsely Confessed to Murder, Dramatic Weight-Loss. ABC News. Retrieved from https://abcnews.go.com/US/half-ton-killer-mayra-rosales-reveals-falsely-confessed/story?id=21074469

9.  Transcript: Half-Ton Woman Too Fat to Kill? (2021, September 26). Nancy Grace: CNN. Retrieved from http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/1209/26/ng.01.html

10. Wise, H. (2016, June 2). Arrest, arraignment, indictment, trial: How does Texas’ justice system work? Dallas Morning News. Retrieved from https://www.dallasnews.com/news/crime/2016/06/02/breaking-process-whatnbsphappens-arrest-trial

11. Wyatt, K. (2010, May 14). La Joya mother charged with capital murder. KGBT 4. Retrieved from http://valleycentral.com/news/local/la-joya-mother-charged-with-capital-murder

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