San Antonio Four exoneree to visit CSUMB campus for Nov. 29 screening
After a 20 year legal battle, four Texas women who had been accused and convicted of raping two young girls, were formally exonerated in November 2016. The San Antonio Four, as they grew to be known, are now speaking out about their experiences, and are featured in a documentary: Southwest of Salem.
One of the exonerees, Anna Vasquez will be visiting the California State University, Monterey Bay campus on Nov. 29 for discussion and a screening of the documentary.
Vasquez and three of her friends were accused in 1994 of raping the 7 and 9 year old nieces of one of the accused. The four were convicted in Texas court for sexual assault and indecency in 1997 and 1998.
Vasquez was released on parole in 2012; the other three women were released in 2013 after one of the alleged victims recanted her story.
Many believe the four women were targeted because of their sexual orientation, and misinformation in the media and public about same-sex relationships.
The film documents the case, and the assistance of the Texas Innocence Project in getting justice for the four women.
The screening is free and open to everyone. It is Nov. 29 at 6 p.m. in the University Center Ballroom on the CSUMB campus. Vasquez will provide remarks, be there to answer questions and take part in a discussion following the screening.
For more information or accommodations email justiceproject@csumb.edu.
The event is sponsored by the Monterey Bay Justice Project, the School of Humanities and Communication, and the Otter Student Union Programming Board.