[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 131 (Friday, August 16, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E826]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     HONORING ESTELLA YBARRA FOR HER EXEMPLARY SERVICE AND COURAGE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. VERONICA ESCOBAR

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, August 16, 2024

  Ms. ESCOBAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor Estella 
Ybarra, from El Paso, Texas, for her exceptional dedication to justice 
and integrity.
  Ms. Ybarra was a juror in a 1990 high-profile case of Carlos Jaile. 
When the jury convened to deliberate, she believed in Jaile's innocence 
but ultimately felt intimidated by the aggressive pushes for a guilty 
verdict by her white, male peers. It was her first time serving in a 
jury and without a full understanding of the legal system, she felt 
pressured into a guilty vote, though her conscience told her otherwise.
  For almost 30 years, her conscious reminded her of the man whose 
innocence she believed in. She decided to take action and with great 
humility, courage, and empathy. She called the El Paso Police 
Department, who connected her with the District Attorney's office that 
had won Mr. Jaile's conviction 27 years earlier. The office agreed to 
reexamine the case.
  The reexamination resulted in an Earth-shattering revelation: the 
District Attorney's office had DNA evidence from the FBI that 
exonerated Mr. Jaile, but hid the test results. A judge overseeing the 
re-opened case called the El Paso Police and prosecutor's office's 
actions ``unacceptable'' and ``grossly negligent if not more.''
  Estella Ybarra, serving in a capacity that demanded both diligence 
and empathy, demonstrated remarkable courage and an unwavering 
commitment to justice. The cascade of events that followed her phone 
call culminated in Carlos Jaile being released from prison after 27 
years of wrongful imprisonment. Her role in this case, as detailed in a 
recent Texas Monthly article, showcases her dedication to ensuring 
fairness and integrity within the judicial process.
  Ms. Ybarra's actions not only upheld the sanctity of the judicial 
system but also reinforced the critical role that individuals play in 
maintaining public trust and confidence.
  Today, it is my honor to recognize Estella Ybarra. She embodies the 
best of El Paso: bravery, persistence, empathy, and a commitment to 
justice. Her actions exemplify the highest ideals of public service.

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