A suspected serial killer, Raul Meza Jr., who was previously convicted for another murder, may face life behind bars after allegedly killing two more people. Meza, 63, is accused of killing Gloria Lofton in 2019 and Jesse Fraga in 2023. He was previously convicted in 1982 for the murder of 8-year-old Kendra Page.
Meza appeared in court on Tuesday, August 27, to discuss a potential plea deal with Travis County Judge Julie Kocurek. The plea deal would have granted him life in prison for one murder and 20 years for another, making him eligible for parole in 40 years at 103 years old.
However, Judge Kocurek did not accept the plea deal and insisted on a sentence of life without the possibility of parole. Meza's defense attorney argued that Meza was ready for the ordeal to be over, not just for himself but for the whole community.
Tracy Page, the surviving sister of Kendra Page, expressed relief at the judge's decision, stating that Meza had never shown remorse for his actions. Meza had served only 11 years of a 30-year sentence for Kendra Page's murder before being released on parole.
Gloria Lofton, 66, and Jesse Fraga, 80, were the victims of Meza's alleged recent murders. Fraga, a former probation officer, had provided Meza with a place to stay.
Meza's attorneys do not plan on going to trial for the murders of Lofton and Fraga but will continue to argue for a plea deal. Meza is scheduled to return to court on September 30 for another hearing with Judge Kocurek.
The Austin community is on edge as the murder rate has been steadily rising since 2019. At least 5 bodies were discovered in Lady Bird Lake in the last year, and the police have requested the public's assistance in another case that may involve a serial killer.
