October 26, 1995
Web posted at: 4:35 p.m. EDT
HOUSTON, Texas (CNN) -- Yolanda Saldivar was sentenced to life in prison Thursday for the murder of Tejano singing star Selena.
The sentence handed down by a jury of six women and six men after nine hours of deliberation means Saldivar, 35, must serve at least 30 years before she is eligible for parole. It is the maximum prison term in the state of Texas.
The jury found Saldivar guilty Monday of first-degree murder in the March 31 shooting death of Selena Quintanilla Perez, 23, in a Corpus Christi motel. According to testimony from the trial, Selena was meeting with Saldivar to discuss allegations that Saldivar had embezzled money from her when the shooting occurred.
Saldivar had been the president of Selena's fan club and manager of the star's clothing business. The defense argued that Saldivar had accidentally fired the shot that killed Selena. The prosecution maintained that the shooting was deliberate.
There was no word on immediate reaction from the families of Saldivar or Selena.
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