In the summer of 1994, four young women in San Antonio — Elizabeth Ramirez, Cassandra Rivera, Kristie Mayhugh, and Anna Vasquez — were accused of committing an unthinkable crime against two children. In San Antonio, a city charged with homophobia and lingering “satanic panic” fears, the openly gay women were convicted despite a lack of credible forensic evidence and sentenced to prison.

Years later, one of the accusers recanted and said she had been pressured into making the allegations. What followed was a long fight for justice, involving shifting science, new Texas legislation, and the tireless work of the Innocence Project. This is the story of wrongful convictions, and four women who refused to stop fighting for their freedom.

Sources:

Southwest of Salem: The Story of the San Antonio Four documentary by Deborah Esquenazi 

The Devil You Know podcast, with Sarah Marshall 

Satanic Panic “Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia (2026, February 07)” 

Bernard Baran “Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia (2026, February 12)”

Michelle Remembers “Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia (2026, February 13)”

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