Yolanda Saldívar Still Believes Her Trial for Killing Selena Was Unfair — and Says She Shouldn’t Be in Prison (Exclusive)

Yolanda Saldívar, the woman serving a life sentence for the 1995 murder of Tejano singer Selena Quintanilla-Pérez, has formally appealed her sentence multiple times — and plans to appeal again if her 2025 parole bid is rejected, a family member tells The Messenger.

"She has always believed that her original trial was unfair," the relative says. "Her story has never changed: she was trying to shoot herself, not Selena."

The Messenger has reviewed three appeals from Saldívar and two from her defense team. All five actions were denied. By 2019, she had fired her lawyers and was representing herself.

In her most recent appeal, she claimed that some defense-friendly witnesses had not been not called during the trial, and that key pieces of evidence went missing following the verdict. An appellate court refused to take action on her claims.

"She keeps trying and she will keep trying until she believes justice is served," says the relative. "She is 100% convinced she is innocent and that her prison sentence is unjust."

Saldívar, a co-founder of Selena's fan club, gunned down the singer during a confrontation at a Corpus Christi, Texas, hotel. Selena was planning to fire Saldívar after uncovering evidence that she had embezzled more than $60,000.

During their confrontation, Saldívar shot the "Queen of Tejano" in the back. The singer died from blood loss at a hospital later that day.

At trial, attorneys for Saldívar claimed that the shooting was accidental and that she had meant to kill herself. But a jury disagreed, and sentenced her to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 30 years.

Saldívar, now 62, is the "most hated person" at Mountain View Unit, a women's prison in Gatesville, Texas. She is eligible for parole in March 2025.

The Messenger has confirmed that Selena's family is aware of the ongoing appeals and upcoming parole hearing. The family is not making public statements about Saldívar at this time, but will file paperwork to oppose her parole.

As for Saldívar, her relative says that she is focused every day on obtaining her freedom.

"She wants out," says the relative. "And she's going to do whatever she can to get out."