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last yr.

Texas Executes Ivan Cantu Amid Controversy Over His Guilt

Despite mounting evidence and calls for reconsideration, Ivan Cantu was executed for a 2000 double murder, sparking debate over the justice system's integrity.

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The Wynne Unit is pictured on May 21, 2013 in Huntsville, Texas, the site of hundreds of executions in the state.
Ivan Cantu is scheduled to be executed in Texas on Feb. 28 for the murders of his cousin and his cousin's fiancee in 2000. Cantu says he has maintained his innocence, and new evidence uncovered in recent years raises questions about his case.
Texas death chamber

Overview

  • Texas executed Ivan Cantu for the 2000 murder of his cousin and the cousin's fiancée, despite new evidence raising doubts about his guilt.
  • Key witness testimony that contributed to Cantu's conviction was later recanted, and discrepancies in evidence were highlighted by his legal team.
  • A public campaign and support from celebrities and faith leaders called for a pause on Cantu's execution to re-examine the case.
  • Several jurors from Cantu's trial and a leading anti-death penalty advocate questioned the fairness of the trial and the reliability of the verdict.
  • The execution proceeded after last-minute appeals were denied, raising concerns about the potential miscarriage of justice in capital punishment cases.