Photo Credit: Southwest of Salem

The “San Antonio Four,” four Latina lesbians who were wrongfully convicted in 1994 of aggravated sexual assault and indecency, were today cleared on all charges by the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. The women’s story is documented in Southwest of Salem: The Story of the San Antonio Four, which premiered in theaters and on Investigation Discovery earlier this year. The documentary includes poignant scenes showing the impact of the amount of time the women have served and how that has affected them and their families. You can watch the full documentary now on Investigation Discovery’s website.

“Those defendants have won the right to proclaim to the citizens of Texas that theydid not commit a crime. That they are innocent. That they deserve to be exonerated. These women have carried that burden. They are innocent. And they are exonerated. This Court grants them the relief they seek,” the court’s decision read. Read the full ruling here. In 2012 and 2013, after one of the accusers recanted and the forensic evidence used during the trial was debunked, the four women were released from prison but were still denied freedom.

Southwest of Salem premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in April, and went on to win Outstanding Documentary Jury Awards at Frameline and Outfest. GLAAD has worked with the four women (Elizabeth Ramirez, Anna Vasquez, Kristie Mayhugh, and Cassandra Rivera) and the team behind the documentary over the past several months, including hosting a Q&A session and screening of Southwest of Salem as well as amplifying their story through a dedicated live chat on social media.

 

GLAAD Director of Spanish-Language and Latino Media Monica Trasandes moderated the Southwest of Salem documentary discussion after the screening in Santa Monica tonight.

A photo posted by @glaad on Sep 28, 2016 at 9:34pm PDT