November 25, 1998

Expert testimony sways parole board to release woman jailed for 5 years

After spending five years in prison for a murder she says she didn’t commit, Sonia Cacy had two things on her mind following her release on parole Monday: Her vast support network and salad.

"There aren’t any words to describe how I felt," Cacy said. "It was incredible. It was almost overwhelming. After absorbing so much pain, it was difficult to handle so much happiness."

Cacy was convicted in February 1993 of killing her 76-year-old uncle, Bill Richardson, by dousing him with gasoline and throwing a lighted match on him as he slept on Nov. 10, 1991.

Cacy and her uncle shared a Fort Stockton home and authorities alleged Cacy murdered him so she could inherit property in Carlsbad, N.M., and some oil lease royalties.

For three years, Cacy’s claims of innocence fell on deaf ears. But then, Austin explosives and fire expert Gerald Hurst got involved in her case.

Hurst became convinced Cacy was convicted wrongly and he quickly had dozens of explosive and fire experts coming forward to insist that the forensic tests that convicted her were hopelessly flawed. 

Hurst also managed to bring national attention to the Cacy story. The Wall Street Journal printed a front-page story and Dateline ran a segment on her plight.

In fact, Dateline and Hurst were on hand when Cacy was released Monday. More than one dozen of Cacy’s relatives were waiting, too.

"I hugged everybody for about an hour," a tearful Cacy said Tuesday afternoon.

After the hugs, Cacy said she ate her first salad in five years at a nearby restaurant surrounded by well-wishers. 

Cacy’s plight is not over, however, Austin attorney Eric Rabbanian said. 

Cacy was not released from prison because she was vindicated. 

She was released on parole after the parole board received statements from her experts and dozens of letters from family and friends.

They also took into consideration evidence not heard at her trial and 50 exhibits that reportedly "prove" her innocence.

"While technically, the parole board did not consider her guilt or innocence, I’ve got to believe they were swayed by the fact 20 experts came forward to offer their services pro bono (free)," Rabbanian said.

The next step in the Cacy case is a fight for a new trial, Rabbanian said.

Cacy said she is willing to risk her freedom to clear her name.

"Parole is wonderful, but it’s not freedom," Cacy said. "I don’t deserve to be on parole for the rest of my life."

Cacy said doesn’t have the words to thank Hurst and the rest of the experts who fought on her behalf.

"The first three years, it was just me and my family," Cacy said. "Thank you just sounds so small, but I really am thankful for all of them coming forward and for being good and caring people."

Hurst said the vast majority of the evidence used against Cacy at the first trial will be useless against her at the new trial — thanks to all of the experts he recruited.

"I feel like this is a major plateau and we’re two-thirds of the way up the mountain," Hurst said. "We still have to get her found not guilty."

"How much freedom has she really got?" Hurst said. "She must say ‘May I?’ to go anywhere but her own house, and she’s still carrying the stigma of being a murderess."

While her attorneys fight for the new trial, Cacy said she plans to enjoy her family and her new job as an apartment manager in the Fort Worth/Dallas area.

Cacy has nine grandchildren, three of whom were born while she was in prison.

"I’m so excited, I can’t calm down," Cacy said. "I’ve got so much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving."

Pecos County District Attorney Albert Valadez, who tried Cacy, did not return phone calls seeking comment.