A death row inmate has been executed for murdering a couple including his cousin – despite his claims of innocence that were backed by celebrities including Kim Kardashian.
Ivan Cantu, 50, who claimed his conviction more than two decades ago was based on shaky evidence and false testimony, died by lethal injection at 6.47pm at a state penitentiary in Huntsville, Texas, on Wednesday.
He used his last words to reiterate that he did not fatally shoot his cousin, 27-year-old James Mosqueda, 27, and his cousin’s girlfriend, 22-year-old Amy Kitchen.
‘I want you to know that I never killed James and Amy,’ Cantu said to relatives and Kitchen’s friend who watched through a window.
‘And if I did, if I knew who did, you would’ve been the first to know any information.’
Cantu added that he did not believe his execution ‘will bring you closure’.
‘If it does, if this is what it takes or have any reservations off in your mind, then so be it,’ he said.
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