LIVINGSTON, Texas — A death row inmate, Ivan Cantu, is fighting for a review of his case after claiming that recanted testimony and new evidence could prove his innocence in the murder of his cousin and his cousin’s fiancée. Cantu, who was sentenced to death in 2001, hopes to overturn his conviction based on fresh details that have emerged since his trial, including a key witness admitting to lying while testifying and the discovery of a watch he was accused of stealing.
Cantu’s legal team and private investigators have been working to uncover these new details, but their efforts have yet to be reviewed by state or federal courts. Despite the postponement of his execution last year, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals dismissed his request for an evidentiary hearing, leaving Cantu’s fate hanging in the balance as his execution date looms.
The case against Cantu relied heavily on the testimony of a key witness, Amy Boettcher, who implicated him in the murders. However, new details have emerged that cast doubt on her testimony, including a signed affidavit from an officer who performed a wellness check at Cantu’s home and did not see any bloody clothes in the trash can, contradicting Boettcher’s claims.
Additionally, Cantu’s legal team has raised concerns about the conduct of his former attorneys and the failure to present an adequate defense during his trial. They also argue that the prosecution did not provide all relevant evidence, as required by the Michael Morton Act, a Texas law that mandates the disclosure of evidence to defendants.
Amidst the mounting evidence that questions Cantu’s guilt, some jurors from his original trial have come forward to advocate for halting his execution. They express doubts about the fairness of the trial and the accuracy of the evidence presented, further adding to the complexity of Cantu’s case.
As Cantu’s execution date approaches, his legal team continues to pursue relief in federal courts and has filed a clemency application. The fate of Ivan Cantu remains uncertain, as his fight for justice and the truth behind the murders of his cousin and his cousin’s fiancée presses on.