TEXAS —  An online petition addressed to Texas. Gov. Greg Abbott is calling on the state to release two brothers accused of killing their stepfather as well as another teen charged in connection to the crime.

The petition, posted on Change.org, as of Friday morning had collected 235,507 signatures with a goal of 300,000.

The petition concerns brothers Alejandro Trevino, 18, and Christian Trevino, 17, who are accused of killing their stepfather, 42-year-old Gabriel Quintanilla. Also charged in connection to the crime is 18-year-old family friend Juan Eduardo Melendez.

According to Rio Grande Valley ABC television affiliate KRGV, the brothers are alleged to have killed Quintanilla in retaliation for sexually abusing his 9-year-old daughter, who is a stepsister to the brothers.

It’s believed the teens severely beat Quintanilla. His body was located in a field in McAllen, Texas, on Jan. 20.

“The three teenagers are currently in custody and have their bonds set at over 1 million dollars each. If convicted of capital murder, they face a minimum sentence of life imprisonment without parole,” the petition states.

“We ask that the state of Texas to release these teenagers, who could possibly spend the rest of their life in prison for protecting their sister,” the petition continues.