Former Cuban judge Melody González Pedraza, who sentenced four young men to prison in 2022 and is now seeking political asylum in the United States, claims she cannot find a lawyer to represent her. González Pedraza arrived in Tampa in May with humanitarian parole, but authorities denied her entry due to her repressive history. Currently held at the Broward Transitional Center in Pompano Beach, she says she never imagined being treated like a "vile criminal."
"When I arrived in this country, I thought I had reached freedom and could speak out about all I had suffered. I never thought I would be handcuffed and treated like a vile criminal. The first days of my detention were horrible. I was subjected to an oppression that I never allowed in my 18 years of profession to be done to any detainee in my presence," she told Diario de Cuba.
She emphasized, "It has been the most humiliating experience of my life."
Upcoming Court Hearing
The former magistrate is scheduled for a court hearing on July 31. She has little hope of being released, as she hasn't been informed of the charges against her and hasn't been able to present her asylum documents.
"I don't believe I have any options, mainly because my family hasn't been able to hire a lawyer. We've reached out to several lawyers, both my family and I from here, but I won't mention their names out of respect. So far, I've only received rejections and excuses. It's frustrating," she lamented.
Although she considers her situation unjust, González Pedraza also understands the lawyers' reluctance. "Not everyone is willing to be vilified for representing me. Despite what people say, everyone is concerned about moral damage and maintaining their reputation; not even a pro bono lawyer has responded," she said.
The ex-official, a former member of the Communist Party of Cuba and listed as a repressor by the Foundation for Human Rights in Cuba (FDHC), regrets that her life has been exposed. At the detention center, both officers and detainees knew her history before she arrived. "Everyone looks at me with suspicion, and from the balconies, they still shout insults when I go out to the recreation yard," she noted.
"I come from a humble family. I had barely left Villa Clara, and it's very stressful to know that so many people are talking about me," she expressed.
Despite the rejection she faces, she admits that the conditions at the center are "better than those my parents live in Cuba." Authorities treat her the same as the other detainees, and she spends her time taking care of her health and studying English.
On June 12, Melody González Pedraza attended her first asylum hearing in the United States.
"She has a master hearing scheduled for July 31 at 1:00 pm. There, she will have to show Judge Barry S. Chait the merits for obtaining political asylum, which, in my opinion, she does not have," said lawyer Santiago Alpízar, director of the NGO Cuba Demanda, to Martí Noticias.
According to the cited media, the former judge signed prison sentences against four young men under 30 who, on November 18, 2022, threw Molotov cocktails at the homes of police chiefs and regime officials in the Encrucijada municipality. The process was manipulated by State Security similar to the cases of the July 11th protesters and was based on statements from regime agents, without guarantees for due process, the publication stated.
Now seeking political asylum, González Pedraza sentenced Andy Gabriel González Fuentes, Eddy Daniel Rodríguez Pérez, and Luis Ernesto Medina Pedraza to four years in prison; Adain Barreiro Pérez was sentenced to three years. All were tried for the crime of assault.
The prisoners' mothers in Cuba have expressed their discontent with her being granted parole, pointing out the injustices committed by the judge.
Legal Struggles of Former Cuban Judge Seeking Asylum
Given the complexities surrounding Melody González Pedraza's asylum case, here are some frequently asked questions to provide clarity on her situation.
Why is Melody González Pedraza seeking asylum in the United States?
González Pedraza is seeking political asylum in the United States due to her repressive history and the backlash she faces in Cuba. She arrived in Tampa with humanitarian parole but was denied entry by authorities.
What challenges is she facing in finding legal representation?
González Pedraza has struggled to find legal representation because many lawyers are unwilling to take her case due to potential reputational damage. She and her family have reached out to several lawyers but have only received rejections and excuses so far.
What are the charges against her?
As of now, González Pedraza has not been informed of the specific charges against her and has not been able to present her asylum documents.
When is her next court hearing?
Her next court hearing is scheduled for July 31 at 1:00 pm, where she will need to present her case for political asylum to Judge Barry S. Chait.