A Texas man received a life sentence without the possibility of parole for the murder and sexual assault of his 8-month-old daughter in 2020, according to officials.
Luis Luna, 27, from Houston, has been found guilty of capital murder following a 10-day trial concerning the tragic death of his 8-month-old daughter, Savayah Mason, as reported by the Harris County Attorney’s Office in a Press Release on Friday, Oct. 4.
On August 24, 2020, deputies from the Harris County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call regarding an infant who had reportedly ceased breathing at Luna’s apartment, as stated in the release. Emergency medical personnel arrived on the scene to assist the infant, but unfortunately, she showed no signs of responsiveness. Authorities reported that the infant was taken to the hospital, where she was declared deceased.
The district attorney’s office reported that an autopsy revealed the infant’s cause of death was suffocation, noting the presence of marks on her neck and ligature marks indicating she had been restrained. Officials have reported that the infant was a victim of sexual assault, according to the statement.
Edward A. Appelbaum, the Assistant District Attorney who led the prosecution with Sara Delgado, described the crime as “one of the most horrific acts of violence imaginable,” emphasizing that it represents “the worst kind of evil in the world,” as stated in the release.
“This baby couldn’t walk or talk, and she should have been with someone who kept her safe, but instead he abused that trust,” Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg said.