Maria Garcia, Anything For Selena Podcast Host | Courtesy photo
Maria Garcia, host of the Anything for Selena podcast and Executive Editor at Futuro Media, shared her thoughts on the parole process for Yolanda Saldívar, the convicted killer of Tejano music legend Selena Quintanilla-Perez, in a recent interview with ABC News Live. Saldívar, who has been incarcerated for nearly 30 years after fatally shooting Selena in 1995, is set to be eligible for parole in March. Fans of Selena, along with the Quintanilla family, are speaking out against the possibility of Saldívar’s release.
Garcia, an expert on Selena’s life and legacy, voiced her concerns about Saldívar’s lack of accountability for the crime. “Yolanda Saldívar has not done that [shown accountability],” Garcia stated. “In fact, as early as last year, even a few months ago, she’s given interviews where she has repeatedly stated lies about Selena and implied that it was Selena’s own fault that she brought on her killing.”
Garcia also emphasized that Saldívar’s refusal to take full responsibility for her actions, including her ongoing victim-blaming statements, makes her parole hearing particularly contentious. “She has never taken full responsibility for her choices and actions, and in fact has continually blamed the Quintanilla family. So I don’t think that she’s shown the remorse and accountability that is needed for somebody who wants to get out of prison.”
Selena and Yolanda Saldivar | Courtesy photo
The lasting emotional toll on Selena’s family is another critical point in the parole debate. Garcia referenced recent interviews where Saldívar continued to make baseless accusations about Selena’s personal life, fueling further outrage. “Her family… have spoken publicly about how they feel that Yolanda has not shown any remorse, but on the contrary, continues to defame Selena even in death.”
While Saldívar has never denied the shooting, she has maintained that it was an accident. Garcia believes that Saldívar’s narrative continues to distort the truth. “It amounts to victim blaming,” Garcia said, reflecting on how Saldívar’s claims distort Selena’s legacy. The Quintanilla family, along with countless fans, continue to advocate for justice, believing Saldívar has not demonstrated the growth or remorse needed for her release.
Garcia also discussed the immense cultural impact Selena continues to have, even after her untimely death in 1995. “Selena was a once-in-a-lifetime kind of artist,” Garcia noted, explaining that Selena’s fusion of American R&B with Mexican-American roots music created a genre that changed Latin and American pop music forever. Her influence is still felt in music, fashion, and culture today, making her a symbol not just for Mexican Americans, but for all generations.
“She’s become bigger than just Selena Quintanilla. She’s all of us,” Garcia continued, highlighting the significance of Selena’s enduring presence. “That’s why you see young girls, you know, who were not alive when Selena was alive, who love her and who still connect to her.”
As for how fans can make their voices heard during the parole process, Garcia urged them to continue celebrating Selena’s legacy. “The most powerful thing that people can do is continue to spread her legacy and celebrate her life.”
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With a community still deeply connected to Selena’s memory, the fight to keep Yolanda Saldívar behind bars remains a rallying cry for justice. Garcia’s insights underscore how the pursuit of justice for Selena Quintanilla goes far beyond a legal matter—it’s a fight to preserve her legacy and honor the memory of an icon whose impact will never fade.
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