A death row inmate let out some desperate final words before his execution this week.
Ivan Cantu had been on death row for over 20 years for shooting and killing his cousin James Mosqueda and his partner Amy Kitchen in November 2000.
The 50-year-old has continually proclaimed his innocence, even managing to get celebrities such as Kim Kardashian to plead his case.
He was convicted of murder in 2001, as prosecutors argued that Mosqueda, who was an illegal drug dealer, was killed along with Kitchen, who was a nursing student, as Cantu broke into their home in an attempt to steal weed, cocaine and money from their home in Dallas, Texas.
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However, Cantu said that a rival drug dealer was the real criminal, murdering his cousin in a fight over money.
His case had the backing of stars like actor Martin Sheen, politicians such as Rep Joaquin Castro and former US Housing Secretary Julian Castro, and religious leaders - who called on authorities to delay Cantu's execution to allow time for new evidence to be examined. Ultimately, those requests were unsuccessful.
Prior to Cantu receiving the lethal injection on Wednesday 28 February in Huntsville, Texas, he took the opportunity to say his final words.
Speaking to friends and relatives, he said: "I want you to know that I never killed James and Amy, and if I did, if I knew who did, you would’ve been the first to know any information.
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"If it does, if this is what it takes or have any reservations off in your mind, then so be it." Cantu concluded.
Leading up to his execution, he claimed that his conviction was based on shaky evidence and false testimony.
Cantu had no witnesses of his own, according to a spokesperson, instead only having three journalists, Kitchen's brother, sister-in-law and a family friend witness his death.
Holding his spiritual adviser's hand while in the death chamber as she prayed for him.
He also reiterated that he was innocent, thanking his supporters and urging for it to be investigated further, stating 'I don’t belong on this gurney’.
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The sedative pentobarbital was released into his bloodstream, and Cantu began to snore and eventually gasp on his eight snore, stopping all movement and being pronounced dead at 6:47 pm.
Following the execution, Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis spoke to CNN: "My hopeful prayer is for the victims’ families, friends, and loved ones to find a long-awaited sense of peace."
Cantu is the first inmate to be executed in Texas so far in 2024, a day after the execution of serial killer Thomas Eugene Creech was halted after eight failed lethal injection attempts.
Joshua Nair