When I sat in my living room, watching my sons face as he laughed at the cartoons on TV, I would think to myself, My child knows nothing about the worlds brutality, so why am I inviting this dark story into our house? Not now. This website uses cookies for personalisation. Ivan Cantu would be arrested, convicted and sentenced to death. So much does not add up. I often try to imagine what that meal was like: Amy chatting with her dad about the classes she was taking in nursing school, the plans she had to go shopping with her mother the next day. They interview Caves family to humanize her and give more context to her life and relationship with Pitonyak. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. Ivan Cantu would be arrested, convicted and sentenced to death Texas Death , Copyright 2023 My Crime Library | Powered by Astra WordPress Theme. I'd been divorced for more than 10 years and my son and daughter were in their 20s and had left home, but I wasn't looking for love. Community See All. Duff keeps adding episodes as he uncovers more information, and the storytelling is initially clunky but its a riveting story that continues to pick up steam in newer episodes. I feel very isolated nobody understands what I'm going through. By signing up you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, Stand with us in our mission to discover and uncover the story of North Texas, Dallas man on death row for killing cousin in botched robbery loses Supreme Court appeal, Mall owner backs out of plans for paid parking at D-FW shopping center, About half-million North Texans lose extra food benefits, Frisco trustee goes to conservative radio to defend transgender harassment accusation, Delayed Dallas affordable housing project seeks workaround on deed restrictions, Texas lawmakers zero-in on safety during first public education committee hearing, Delta pilots approve contract with 34% raises, setting stage for other airlines, Sean Menke, CEO of Southlake-based travel tech firm Sabre Corp., stepping down, Eli Lilly cuts insulin prices in move to make diabetes medicine more affordable, Texas urges five big pension funds to cut off financial firms boycotting fossil fuels, Marriott fires back at Michael Irvins request for expedited evidence in $100M lawsuit, Mexicos democracy is in danger, and we could all pay the price, Shermans semiconductor hub attracts massive land buy for home development, Another witness confirms trans teens complaint about Frisco ISD trustee, NFL owners ask Jerry Jones to broker deal with Dan Snyder on Commanders sale, report says. Required fields are marked *. Ive always believed his story, but only because I had no reason not to. We have only two hours together. On the night of the murder, he returned to his apartment that he shared with his . - According to multiple forensic pathologists, there is at least a 6 hour difference in the victims time of death and when the states star witness testified the murders occurred. Photograph: Beady Fontenot. For over 3 years, the Cousins By Blood Podcast has investigated Ivan's capital murder case and innocence claim. He can choose to appoint members who will take valid claims and concerns more seriously, instead of acting like rubber-stamping gate-keepers. All persons displayed here are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. We're filing an appeal to the Supreme Court. The case was brought before a grand jury, but there were no indictments. I said I couldn't remember my life without him and they said they would support me, even offering to help pay for some of my trips. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Ivan pleaded not guilty and has consistently maintained hes innocent. Rather than investigate potential witnesses and evidence which would have supported Ivan's innocence or challenge the State's case, trial counsel conceded Ivan's guilt before the jury, thereby rendering constitutionally ineffective counsel. Issues of concern: THE STATE- Evidence showing the states star witness committed perjury.- After Cantus conviction, the prosecution withheld evidence from the defense for 11 years.- Evidence that the prosecution and investigating officers improperly coached witnesses.- Post-conviction DNA testing could not definitively establish Cantu was wearing the clothing admitted into evidence. While Ivan Cantu and Amy Boettcher were on their way to Arkansas to visit her parents and announce their engagement, the murdered bodies of James and Amy Kit. document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); Copyright 2023 My Crime Library | Powered by Astra WordPress Theme. ** This post is showing arrest information only. I am overwhelmed by all the evidence against Ivan. I still have a life to live." Ivan Cantu, Death Row Inmate TDCJ#00999399 We are further concerned that while the vast majority of states with capital punishment continue on a downward trend of executions, Texas has continued to go against trend by carrying on an aggressive execution schedule - targeting the poor, the mentally ill and . While some things, like signing petitions, will work without Javascript you may encounter errors. Texas Death Row Inmates List. New suspects are uncovered, new evidence has been discovered, and the clock is ticking to Ivan's Execution Day. It is one element of faith. Perhaps cultivating doubt in Ivans story is part of having faith in him. In 2000, Ivan Cantu was arrested for the murders of his cousin James Mosqueda and Amy Kitchen, James's fianc. Terry Funk is not only still alive but looking pretty darn good after all . The webmaster, who has been operating this site since 2000, wished to cut back on the amount of time required to keep it updated. Filters. She, thus failed to argue that trial counsel were ineffective for conceding Ivan's guilt rather than argue his innocence. When 21-year old Christian Andreacchio was found dead in his apartments upstairs bathroom, the police immediately ruled the death a suicide. Ivan did not receive a fair trial. On 28 March this year I learned Ivan had been given an execution date: 30 August. If they turn us down we'll file to the clemency board, asking them to reverse his sentence to life in prison. The families are finally able to find their graves in Guatemala, giving listeners a rare sense of closure. Dani Clark is a writer and editor at an international development organization in Washington, D.C. Well never put our work behind a paywall, and well never put a limit on the number of articles you can read. But the story we are told that "it's out of the governor's hands," is only true if we allow it to be. At first I thought he was guilty. Email experience@theguardian.com, 'I certainly never imagined I would fall for someone on deathrow', Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning, 'Death row inmates get virtually no phone privileges, so calling hasnt been an option. The prosecution and investigating officers improperly coached witnesses and withheld evidence from the defense. These cookies do not store any personal information. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Page 3 of 3 First 1 2 3. Ivan Cantu, 38, who was condemned for killing his cousin in a robbery in 2000, received a stay of execution last week after the state filed a motion to withdraw his Aug. 30 execution date. Ivan Cantu would steal the victims jewelry and vehicle. I hadn't told him of my feelings. He is now on death row, and for 13 years I have been his loyal friend. . We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Cousins By Blood is a podcast investigation into a double homicide that took place in Dallas in the year 2000.Ivan Cantu was convicted of killing his cousin James and James's fianc Amy. You can simply leave a voice message, or choose to speak to a representative if you prefer.Please note: In Texas, the Governor does have limited power when it comes to the death penalty. This feature has been discontinued. Now 20 years later, questions about Ivan's guilt or innocence remain and the case . Action Network partners get access to our full range of tools, including the ability to upload activists and subscribe them to your list, create custom-branded email and page wrappers, and more. Ivan Cantu was sentenced to death by the State of Texas for a double murder robbery. I'd written to aman on death row in Texas whose story I was interested in for my course. https://caselaw.findlaw.com/us-5th-circuit/1553912.html. Police also found Cantus gun at his ex-girlfriends house where Cantu and Boettcher had stopped on the way home from Arkansas. Ivan Cantu would steal the victims jewelry and vehicle. I still have a life to live. Ivan Cantu, Death Row Inmate TDCJ#00999399 Forgot account? Ivan Cantu would steal the victims jewelry and vehicle. I held a giant white binder and read from it, as if it were a movie script. He was 48 years old on the day of the booking. I felt I knew him from his letters he'd been very open in them. Cantu cleaned up, and Boettcher threw his bloody jeans into the trash. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. It would have been an evening like any other except for the fact that it was the couples last. The U.S. Supreme Court declinedto review an appeal from a Dallas man who shot and killed his cousin in a botched2000 robbery and is now on death row. They also talk to Pitonyak and his parents as they grapple with how a National Merit scholar could have committed such a heinous crime. Through chilling interviews with Bostons now-grown son, the truth about the couples last hours is laid bare. Death row was a horrifying place. We are further concerned that while the vast majority of states with capital punishment continue on a downward trend of executions, Texas has continued to go against trend by carrying on an aggressive execution schedule - targeting the poor, the mentally ill and people of color. Hehadlearning difficulties, and Ivan, his fellow inmate, replied forhim, offering to assist with our correspondence. or. The only picture I'd seen of Ivan was his mugshot online. He has very kind, loving eyes. Ivan Cantu, the 44-year-old prisoner Stevens has come to see, is led, handcuffed, behind the row of booths by three officers. I never planned to be in this situation, to be friends with . The host, a BBC journalist, fleshes out the life of Farmer and Frampton through interviews with their families, including the formers sister, who wrote a book about the case. The Supreme Court madeno comment Monday regarding its decision. In his last appearance in 2011, Putski was still looking great and insanely jacked for a guy his age. Booking Date(s) Default 1 Day Range. Boettcher also said that when she saw Cantu on the night of the murder, his socks and pants were bloody. Ivan Cantu was wrongfully convicted in 2001 for Capital Murder. They were last heard from in Belize, where they got on the boat of Silas Duane Boston, ready for yet another leg of their excursion. In 2000, Ivan Cantu was arrested for the murders of his cousin James Mosqueda and Amy Kitchen, James's fianc. The next time I saw Ivan, we sat there crying. He also was indictedin the slaying of Amy Kitchen, 22, Mosqueda's girlfriend. Later that same night, the state of Texas says, James' cousin, Ivan Cantu motivated by his relative's drug debt and his own greed and jealousy killed Amy and James in an execution-style double murder. 7 True Crime Podcasts To Listen To As You Self-Isolate, Unsolved Mysteries Is Like Watching A Reddit Thread Come To Life. They initially zeroed in on just one suspect: a man who happened upon the flames. He brings vast creative experience to every task . Get the latest breaking news from North Texas and beyond. Just a stack of words on paper, they are also a chronicle of the past 13 years: descriptions to him of my travels as a development consultant; his accounts to me of trying to get innocence projects, journalists, and attorneys to listen to his case. The new Disney film The One and Only Ivan is a fantasy story for all ages. via:postimg.org . Ivan wanted me to date and beable to have sex he said I had tolive my life. During the trial, one of Cantu's former girlfriends, Amy Boettcher,testified that he had told her of his plans to kill Mosqueda and showed her the bodies after the act. In this 13-episode podcast, produced by Ashley Flowers of Crime Junkie fame, investigative journalist Delia DAmbra revisits the case, interviewing former neighbors, police officers, and Johnsons family members and friends, including a roommate who disappeared right after the killing. In the course of my investigation I will highlight the mistakes, corruption, and apathy that plagues the legal sys. There's a nice chemistry between her and her co host/friend too. That was July 2005. Ivan and I wrote to each other during the next year and Ibegan helping him with his appeal. A version of this story appeared in the Jan 1-14, 2016 print issue under the headline: Talking with Ivan, I found a flame of life on death row. Ivan admitted to keeping active on his spacious land in the Texas area. No matter what, you can always turn to The Marshall Project as a source of trustworthy journalism about the criminal justice system. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. His public defenders did not investigate or do anything to defend him. Eventually I arranged to visit him. I dont believe in the death penalty, and even if he is guilty, I dont think he should die. The perplexing case seems made for Reddit, and this podcast unravels its many layers. For a long time I didn't let my family know. How can a person be executed without receiving all the evidence to defend them self? According to court documents Ivan Cantu would fatally shoot his cousin and a woman during a botched robbery. Now 20 years later, questions about Ivan's guilt or innocence remain and the case has been reinvestigated. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Alessa Dominguez is a senior culture writer for BuzzFeed News and is based in New York. But the person presented at trial doesnt match the one I know: a friendly and intelligent man who cuts out New Yorker cartoons and tapes them to his typewritten letters. Click here to learn more or change your cookie settings. Great to see this former WWE legend still doing very well. Anyway, she had been contacted by Ivan Cantu's (convicted murderer and subject of Cousins By Blood ) Mother, due to her wrongful conviction advocacy and became aware of the case, binged the podcast, was convinced of Cantu's guilt, offered her assistance and was accepted into the . Investigators also found the murder weapon with Cantu's fingerprints on the magazine at the home ofanother of Cantu's ex-girlfriends. New suspects will be uncovered, new . This is a passive informational site providing organization of public data, obtainable by anyone. He spoke rapidly during our hours together, anxiety and desperation pervading his words and gestures. Ivan Cantu, death row in Texas whose story I was interested in my. Think he should die comment Monday regarding its decision he spoke rapidly during our hours,... 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