The last words of a Texas inmate whose case was taken up by Kim Kardashian were a desperate plea to prove his innocence.
Ivan Cantu became the second person to be executed in the US this year on Wednesday evening, put to death for murdering his cousin and his cousin's girlfriend over 20 years ago.
However, through the entire process, he maintained that he did not commit the murders, with celebrities and Catholic groups taking up his cause. His last words were, "I did not kill James and Amy."
He devoted a last speech to the families of the victims: "Id like to address the Kitchens and Mosqueda families. 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 I would’ve had that would’ve helped to bring you closure if it does."
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"If this is what it takes or have any reservations off in your mind, then so be it. This Is not going to help you guys and I want you to know from me that it never occurred."
He went on to thank his mother, Syliva Cantu, who was allowed a last visit with her son this morning. He also thanked all those that took up his case. He closed his speech by invoking a bible verse, Matthew 6:21, and then said, "Warden I’m ready.”
Ivan Cantu, 50, was pronounced dead at 6.47pm local time in the state penitentiary in which he was incarcerated in Huntsville, Texas, a small city about 70 miles north of Houston. The execution had been slated to begin at 6pm local time (midnight GMT).
Cantu was convicted of murder and sentenced to death in 2001 for killing his cousin James Mosqueda, 27, and Mosqueda's girlfriend, Amy Kitchen, 22, in November 2000 in what was dubbed a robbery that took place in the couple's north Dallas home.
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Mosqueda had allegedly been dealing illicit drugs, and Cantu was attempting to steal cocaine, marijuana and lots of cash from his cousin's home, prosecutors alleged. In 2001, he was condemned despite testimony that argued the incident was the result of a rival drug dealer beefing with his cousin over money, not a robbery turned murder.
Cantu has claimed his innocence since his trial and conviction, and throughout the years, several high-profile figures — including celebrities Martin Sheen and Kim Kardashian, who is currently in training to be a lawyer, following in her father's foosteps, Texas politicians and twins Joaquin and Julian Castro, who are a US Representative and the former US Housing Secretary, respectively, and several human rights organisations such as Catholics Mobilizing Network (CMN).