Mexican prisoner Ivan Cantú executed in Texas for double murder
Iván Cantú, a Mexican prisoner at the Texas State Penitentiary in Huntsville, United States, was executed on February 28 by lethal injection, after being found guilty of murdering his cousin and his fiancée. The execution took place at 06:47 pm local time in the death chamber, a small room with green walls and a stretcher.
Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis stated, “After more than two decades of multiple state and federal courts exhaustively reviewing his conviction, Iván Cantú finally met justice tonight.” However, the anti-capital punishment organization Death Penalty Action’s executive director, Abraham Bonowitz, expressed doubts about Cantú’s guilt, saying, “I cannot say for sure that he is innocent, but I cannot say for sure that he is guilty.”
Before his execution, Cantú maintained his innocence and addressed the families of the victims, stating, “I want you to know that I never killed James and Amy. And if I had known who did it, they would have been the first to know any information I had.” Cantú thanked his family, lawyers, and podcast producer Matt Duff for their support and efforts to uncover the truth.
The families, friends, and loved ones of the victims are hoped to find a sense of peace following Cantú’s execution. The case has sparked controversy and debate over the use of the death penalty in Texas.