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.

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.

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.

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.

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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