A Texas man convicted of the brutal murder of an 8-year-old girl in the 1980s, and subsequently chased out of multiple towns following his early release from prison, has now been indicted on two new murder charges. These charges include one that may result in the death penalty if convicted. Prosecutors made this announcement on Friday. Raul Meza Jr., a 62-year-old man, was arrested earlier this year for the deaths of his roommate in May and a woman in 2019. The Austin police have also mentioned that they are investigating as many as 10 cold cases dating back to 1996 to determine if there is any connection to Meza, although no findings have been announced yet.
A Travis County grand jury handed up the indictments on Thursday, charging Meza with one count of capital murder in the death of Gloria Lofton, a 65-year-old woman found in her home. Additionally, Meza was indicted on one count of murder in the death of Jesse Fraga, an 80-year-old man. Russell Hunt Jr., Meza’s attorney, did not respond immediately to a phone message on Friday. Meza has been detained on a $1 million bond since May. According to court records, Meza called the Austin police on May 24, confessing to one of the killings when a detective answered the phone. “My name is Raul Meza,” the caller said, according to an affidavit. “I think you are looking for me.”
Years ago, Meza caused a commotion in Texas towns where he attempted to settle after serving only a fraction of a 30-year sentence for the rape and murder of 8-year-old Kendra Page. He was released on parole in 1993, receiving credit for good behavior and time served. After protests drove him out of six cities, Meza made a public appeal, stating, “In my heart, I know that I will not intentionally harm anyone.” This statement was made during an August 1993 news conference, where he claimed to be a born-again Christian and no longer a danger to society. The officers in the Austin suburb of Pflugerville discovered Fraga’s body on May 20 during a wellness check after his relatives had not heard from him for several days. Lofton had been strangled to death.
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