Migrant suspect in Texas cheerleader’s murder confronted by victim’s grieving mom in court

Jacqueline Medina embarked on a 13-hour journey from Nevada to Texas, driven by a profound mix of grief, determination, and the need for justice. On February 6, she faced Rafael Govea Romero, the man accused of murdering her 16-year-old daughter, Lizbeth Medina, in a Texas courtroom for the first time. Romero, a 25-year-old undocumented immigrant from Mexico, is charged with breaking into Jacqueline’s former apartment in Edna on the morning of December 5, 2023, and fatally stabbing Lizbeth while she was preparing for school. The young girl’s body was found in the bathtub, leaving her family and community in shock. For Jacqueline, the courtroom encounter was a moment of raw emotion, a chance to confront the man accused of shattering her life and to make sure he understood the depth of the pain he had caused.

As Jacqueline sat in the courtroom, she wanted to make her presence known to Romero. She positioned herself directly behind him, hoping he would see her and acknowledge the suffering he had inflicted. “I wanted him to look at me,” she shared with Fox News Digital. “I wanted him to see me … and let him know that I’m here, regardless of all the pain that he’s making me feel and put my family through. We stand strong, and he’s not going to win.” When their eyes met for the first time, Jacqueline was struck by Romero’s height, which made her reflect on the sheer terror her daughter must have endured. “My daughter wasn’t that tall,” she said, her voice cracking with emotion. “So, just thinking that my daughter had to fight him, what could she have done? Like, did she even have a chance against this man? He’s so tall and big, and it was just terrible.”

The emotional weight of the moment nearly overwhelmed Jacqueline. She recounted how she began shaking violently, hyperventilating, and crying as the reality of the situation hit her. Yet, despite the turmoil, she found a glimmer of hope in Romero’s reaction. When she locked eyes with him, he looked down, avoiding her gaze. To Jacqueline, that moment spoke volumes. “I saw the shame in him,” she said, “like he understood the pain that he put us through. He showed me that just by looking down when I looked at him straight in his eye.” For Jacqueline, Romero’s actions in that moment served as a silent acknowledgment of the horror he was accused of committing, and it gave her the strength to keep moving forward.

The courtroom hearing brought some sense of relief for Jacqueline when the judge ruled Romero competent to stand trial and set a tentative trial date for August. She had been bracing herself for the possibility of an insanity plea, which she learned about in November and described as devastating. “That … broke me,” she admitted. “I was starting to lose hope in the system. And then I started doubting whether we were going to get justice.” But the judge’s decision reassured her that progress was being made. “I got the information in November that there was going to be some type of insanity plea,” she said, “and then I started doubting whether we were going to get justice.” However, the recent developments have restored some of her faith, and she now feels “things are going in the right direction.”

Jacqueline’s strength throughout this ordeal has been bolstered by the love and support of her family and community. She carried a keychain with a photo of Lizbeth during the hearing, a small but meaningful token that provided her with the strength to endure the emotional toll of the day. “Having her there with me really helped,” she said, her voice filled with gratitude. The outpouring of prayers and support from those around her has been a source of comfort, reminding her that she is not alone in her fight for justice. “I have a big feeling that the thoughts of everyone praying for us and all the love that’s been shown is a big part of what’s keeping us strong as a family and as a community,” she said.

The loss of Lizbeth has left an indelible mark on Jacqueline and her family. Lizbeth was a bright and ambitious high school cheerleader with dreams of studying nursing at the University of Texas at Arlington. Her life was cut short in the most violent and senseless way, leaving her family to grapple with the aftermath. Jacqueline had left for work early on the morning of December 5, unaware of the horror that would unfold. When Lizbeth failed to show up at school or the Christmas parade her cheer team was preparing for, Jacqueline returned home to find her daughter’s lifeless body in the bathtub. The pain of that moment has stayed with her, but so has her determination to ensure that Romero is held accountable for his actions.

Romero, who was on probation for a 2022 burglary in Schulenburg, Texas, was arrested five days after Lizbeth’s murder. Police believe he may have been stalking Lizbeth after breaking into her home about a month before the killing. Despite his claims of innocence, Jacqueline remains resolute in her belief that justice will prevail. Romero’s defense team has filed motions to suppress evidence, arguing that his detention and the search of his apartment were unconstitutional. However, Jacqueline is focused on the bigger picture, using her voice to advocate for change and to honor her daughter’s memory. Through her unwavering strength and resilience, Jacqueline continues to inspire those around her, proving that even in the darkest of times, hope and love can prevail.