Ruben Gutierrez’s Victim’s Niece Slams Kim Kardashian After US Supreme Court Halts His Execution
KEY POINTS
- Victim’s niece slammed Kim Kardashian over Ruben Gutierrez’s case
- Gutierrez was scheduled to be executed on Tuesday (June 17)
- The U.S. Supreme Court issued a Stay of Execution an hour before schedule
- Gutierrez made a new appeal on exercising his religious freedom
The niece of Ruben Gutierrez’s victim has some very emotional words for Kim Kardashian after the U.S. Supreme Court halted his execution just one hour before its schedule.
The “Keeping Up With The Kardashians” star, who’s also known for her criminal justice reform advocacy, campaigned for the cessation of Gutierrez’s scheduled execution. She called the attention of Texas’ Governor, Greg Abbott, to stop the execution while there was time.
Kardashian also appealed for the collection of Gutierrez’s DNA samples and the conduct of full review before executing him.
Today is #RubenGutierrez's scheduled execution. There is still time for @GovAbbott to stop this execution!!! We must get DNA collected from the body and do a full review before a man can be executed pic.twitter.com/vMKRg0J4OF
— Kim Kardashian (@KimKardashian) June 16, 2020
Approximately five hours later, Kardashian tweeted an update on Gutierrez’s case. She said that the U.S. Supreme Court granted a Stay of Execution for Gutierrez.
UPDATE!!!! Thank you Supreme Court of the United States for granting a Stay of Execution for Ruben Gutierrez! Now his case will go back to the lower courts to decide the issues with his case! pic.twitter.com/5KffWWmet9
— Kim Kardashian (@KimKardashian) June 17, 2020
Some celebrated the court’s decision while others were dismayed and angry, including the victim’s niece.
Karen Cuellar-Schmelzer made several strong and emotional responses to Kardashian’s tweet.
“He killed my Aunt. Stabbed her with a screwdriver 80 times through the head and neck and body,” Cuellar-Schmelzer said.
She added that her aunt was already 82, 90 lbs and Kardashian had no idea what she was talking about.
He killed my Aunt. Stabbed her with a screwdriver 80 times through the head and neck and body. She was 82 and 90lbs. Kim has NO idea wtf she’s talking about.
— Karen Cuellar-Schmelzer (@karengrayce1) June 17, 2020
This was my Aunt. Rubens victim. Stabbed 80 times in the head, neck and body. She was 90lbs. 82 yrs old. pic.twitter.com/yp10D2ebls
— Karen Cuellar-Schmelzer (@karengrayce1) June 17, 2020
His victim. My Aunt. A frail woman. He stabbed her 80 times. EIGHTY!! pic.twitter.com/kcHNW34TgV
— Karen Cuellar-Schmelzer (@karengrayce1) June 17, 2020
She was my Aunt. His fingerprints were on the screwdriver that he stabbed her with OVER 80 TIMES. He also admitted to being there AND helped them find the weapon.
— Karen Cuellar-Schmelzer (@karengrayce1) June 17, 2020
Uh, no it won’t. The stay of execution was simply to allow him to have a minister/chaplain in the room. This had NOTHING to do with you BUT for the love of all things holy, I hope they test the DNA so that’s no longer an issue & we can all move forward. My Aunt was his victim.
— Karen Cuellar-Schmelzer (@karengrayce1) June 17, 2020
HE ADMITTED TO THE CRIME AND HIS FINGERPRINTS WERE ALL OVER THE SCREWDRIVER HE USED TO STAB MY AUNT OVER 80 TIMES. Give this guy a minister and let’s all move omits this.
— Karen Cuellar-Schmelzer (@karengrayce1) June 17, 2020
The victim’s niece still showed sympathy to Gutierrez’s family despite the pain she’s going through. She also extended prayers for his family.
Nevertheless, Cuellar-Schmelzer described the tragic incident as “senseless, brutal and animalistic.” She acknowledged that the people concerned were all victims of the terrible circumstance but her call for justice remained steadfast.
My Aunt was the victim. My family has suffered. But so has this mans family. He took his life when he took my Aunts life. We are all victims of his actions. Prayers to his family and mine. It was senseless, brutal and animalistic. Justice needs to be served.
— Karen Cuellar-Schmelzer (@karengrayce1) June 17, 2020
The victim’s name was Escolastica Cuellar Harrison. Court documents revealed that Gutierrez went to Harrison’s home on Sept. 5, 1998, together with Rene Garcia and Pedro Garza. The trio left with $56,000 after stabbing the victim to death with a screwdriver, The New York Times reported.
Gutierrez, who used to be a forklift operator and a laborer, was sentenced to death after his conviction in 1999. Garza reportedly fled following his release on bond while waiting for trial. Garcia has been serving a life sentence, while Garza remains fugitive.
Gutierrez, on Tuesday, dodged the death penalty after the U.S. Supreme Court halted his execution over a new appeal for a chaplain to be allowed in the death chamber, The Texas Tribune reported.
Gutierrez, his family and supporters have reportedly spent the last decade fighting for his DNA to be tested to prove his innocence.
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