Melissa Lucio's execution halted by Texas appeals court

DALLAS - A Texas appeals court on Monday delayed the execution of Melissa Lucio amid growing doubts about whether she fatally beat her 2-year-old daughter in a case that has garnered the support of lawmakers, celebrities and even some jurors who sentenced her to death.The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals granted a request by Lucio's lawyers for a stay of execution so a lower court can review her claims that new evidence would exonerate her.

It was not immediately known when the lower court would begin reviewing her case. Lucio had been set for lethal injection Wednesday for the 2007 death of her daughter Mariah in Harlingen, Texas.The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals stepped in just two days before Lucio was scheduled to die by lethal injection.

In its decision, the state court ordered the Cameron County trial court to consider new evidence presented by Lucio’s legal team.

The attorneys brought forth nine claims. The court decided four of them met the requirements for a stay.The stay order states, "we therefore remand those claims to the trial court for a merits’ review… Execution is stayed pending resolution of the remanded claims."Over the weekend there were with multiple rallies and events throughout North Texas and beyond aimed at raising awareness of Lucio’s appeal.RELATED: 'Free Melissa Lucio' rallies held in North Texas ahead of her scheduled executionAll over the country Saturday, supporters of a Texas woman on death row rallied hoping to stop her execution set for next week.Prosecutors have maintained that the girl was the victim of abuse and noted that her body was covered in bruises.