Dallas, Texas – Ivan Cantu was executed in the state of Texas on Wednesday for the murders of his cousin, James Mosqueda, and Mosqueda’s girlfriend, Amy Kitchen, back in November 2000. Cantu, 50, maintained his innocence until the very end, speaking out in his final moments to the families of the victims.
Despite Cantu’s claims of innocence, prosecutors argued that he killed his cousin, who was involved in illegal drug activities, and Kitchen, during an attempt to steal drugs and money from Mosqueda’s home in north Dallas. The execution took place by lethal injection, with no reported issues during the procedure.
Throughout the years, Cantu’s attorneys have contested the validity of the evidence presented at trial, claiming that key witnesses provided false testimony, including one who has since recanted. New evidence was also brought to light, supporting Cantu’s assertion that Mosqueda was targeted by rival individuals who also menaced Cantu over his cousin’s alleged debts.
Doubts about Cantu’s conviction were expressed by the foreman of the jury that oversaw his trial in 2001. Calls to delay the execution for further investigation were made, including a petition to Texas Governor Greg Abbott, which garnered nearly 150,000 signatures but failed to prevent Cantu’s execution.
Capital punishment remains a contentious issue in the United States, with 23 states having abolished it and six others halting its use. Cantu’s execution follows a historic event in Alabama, where Kenneth Smith was executed using nitrogen gas for the first time in U.S. history just a month prior.
As the debate on the death penalty continues, Cantu’s case highlights the ongoing challenges and controversies surrounding capital punishment in the United States.