Lopez v. State

OPINION

This appeal concerns the murder by torture of a four-year-old child, Jessica. Appellant, Manuel Saucedo Lopez (“Lopez”), was convicted by a jury of the murder and sentenced to death in a separate penalty hearing. After a careful and extended review of the issues, the record, and the briefs and arguments of counsel, we conclude that Lopez was fairly tried, convicted and sentenced; we therefore affirm.

I. THE FACTS

The testimony adduced at trial, although controverted by Lopez, established a pattern of abuse and torture that eventuated in the merciful demise of the four-year-old…