Appeal from convicted killer of Tejano music star Selena disallowed by state appeals court

Court: Appeal from Selena’s killer in wrong court

HOUSTON — The convicted killer of Tejano music star Selena lost an appeal Wednesday in Texas’ highest criminal appeals court because it was filed in the wrong county.

Yolanda Saldivar had asked the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals to order an appeal filed nine years ago in Nueces County to move forward. But the court said the appeal should have been filed in Harris County, where she was tried and convicted of the 1995 shooting of the singer.

Saldivar is serving a life prison term for killing the 23-year-old singer at a Corpus Christi motel room. She had founded a Selena fan club and rose to overseeing the Selena Etc. clothing business, but was accused of embezzling thousands of dollars.

Prosecutors said Saldivar deliberately shot Selena after the singer went to the motel to confront Saldivar about the embezzlement claims. Saldivar said she accidentally shot the singer while gesturing with a handgun.

Saldivar becomes eligible for parole in 2025.