Also , Velez ' primary language is Spanish , and he is a seventh-grade dropout , the ACLU said . Manuel Velez was convicted of murdering the year-old child of his girlfriend . The case has sparked outrage in Mexico and led to protests by thousands who have called for a change in laws that allow judges to sentence people to life without parole if they are found guilty of killing someone A judge cites `` ineffective assistance of counsel '' `` We should be ashamed of the errors that put Manuel on the brink of execution , '' ACLU says .
Manuel Velez was convicted of murdering the year-old child of his girlfriend . The case has sparked outrage in Mexico and led to protests by thousands who have called for a change in laws that allow judges to sentence people to life without parole if they are found guilty of killing someone A judge cites `` ineffective assistance of counsel '' `` We should be ashamed of the errors that put Manuel on the brink of execution , '' ACLU says .