Freed Texas killer indicted in 2 slayings

AUSTIN, Texas — A Texas man who was convicted of killing an 8-year-old girl in the 1980s and then run out of several towns after his early release from prison has been indicted on two new murder charges, including one that could carry the death penalty, prosecutors announced.

Raul Meza Jr., 62, was arrested on murder charges in the deaths of his roommate in May and a woman in 2019. Austin police said they were also looking at as many as 10 cold cases going back to 1996 that could be connected to Meza.

The indictments handed up by a Travis County grand jury last week include a count of capital murder in the death of Gloria Lofton, 65, who was found in her home. The grand jury also indicted Meza on a murder count in the death of Jesse Fraga, 80.

Meza has remained in jail in lieu of $1 million bond since May.

According to court records, he called the Austin police and confessed 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.”

Decades ago, Meza caused an uproar in Texas towns where he tried settling down after serving about a third of a 30-year sentence in the rape and killing of 8-year-old Kendra Page. He was paroled in 1993 with credit for time served and good behavior.

After picketers drove him out of six cities, Meza pleaded to the public: “In my heart, I know that I will not willfully bring harm to anyone,” he said, describing himself as a bornagain Christian and no threat to society.