UPDATE: A Houston crime victims advocate is taking urgent action today to oppose the parole of Venancio Medellin, a man involved in the brutal 1993 rape and murders of Jennifer Ertman and Elizabeth Peña. Medellin, now 46, has served 32 years of a 40-year prison sentence and is eligible for parole for the second time.
Andy Kahan, Director of Victim Services and Advocacy for Crime Stoppers of Houston, is traveling to Palestine, Texas, today to meet with a member of the Texas parole board who will play a critical role in Medellin’s case. The decision is expected to be announced in the coming weeks, creating a tense situation for the families of the victims.
The horrific crimes took place when Medellin was only 14 years old. He and five other gang members attacked the two teenage girls after they took a shortcut through T.C. Jester Park. Medellin, who pleaded guilty to sexual assault, received the lightest sentence among his co-defendants after testifying against them. Three of the attackers have since been executed, while two remain incarcerated serving life sentences.
“It’s just a name on a piece of paper, so I’m going to bring them back to life,” Kahan stated, holding a folder filled with photos and clippings of the victims. “I’m going to make sure they know who Jenny and Elizabeth were.”
Kahan’s advocacy is supported by the families of the victims, notably Jennifer Ertman’s mother, Sandy, who will participate in today’s meeting via conference call. Kahan has pledged to uphold a promise made to Jennifer’s father before his passing in 2014 to represent their family at every parole hearing.
“When you are part of a group that is sexually assaulting and torturing, you need to remain in prison,” Kahan emphasized. Medellin has expressed remorse in past interviews, stating, “I wish that I could take it back, but I cannot.”
If the parole board denies Medellin’s release, Kahan plans to request another 5-year set-off to ensure that the case is not reviewed again until 2030. Medellin’s projected release date, if granted parole, is in 2033. Meanwhile, two other accomplices, Efraim Perez and Raul Villareal, who are serving life sentences, will be eligible for parole in 2029.
This case remains a critical touchpoint for discussions around crime, justice, and the impact on victims’ families. As the parole board weighs their decision, Kahan’s efforts highlight the enduring pain and unresolved justice for the families of Jennifer Ertman and Elizabeth Peña.
For those wishing to contribute to the ongoing fight against parole, more information on how to send letters or emails to the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles can be found here.
Stay tuned for updates on this developing story as the meeting unfolds and the parole board prepares to make their decision.
