These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Perspectives from those who work and live in the criminal justice system. I left the prison that day shaken. Contact Alessa Dominguez at alessa.dominguez@buzzfeed.com. From: 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. He was 48 years old on the day of the booking. His struggle to live alone 23 hours a day. But when the material arrived (a thumb drive along with printed documents), I started devouring all of it whenever I could during my crowded bus rides home through downtown D.C., and sitting up in bed, late into the night, after my son had gone to sleep. 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. She uncovers new suspects, like Johnsons former neighbor and occasional romantic partner who had a jealous girlfriend characterized as being unstable by everyone who knew her. According to court documents Ivan Cantu would fatally shoot his cousin and a woman during a botched robbery. The next time I saw Ivan, we sat there crying. See more of Justice For Ivan Cantu on Facebook. Ivan has always maintained his innocence. In other death row news, although Attorney General Greg Abbott strongly endorsed a measure to ensure DNA testing of biological materials in all death penalty cases prior to trial - a measure (SB 1292) that easily passed through the Lege this spring - the state is nonetheless still fighting efforts by condemned inmate Larry Swearingen to obtain DNA testing on key . Now 20 years later, questions about Ivan's guilt or innocence remain and the case has been reinvestigated. Filters. Cousins By Blood is a true crime podcast investigation, unfolding episode by episode. This information does not infer or imply guilt of any actions or activity other than their arrest. Now 20 years later, questions about Ivan's guilt or innocence remain and the case . But one of the first things I asked that visit was whether he had killed those people. Once every two or three months, Ispend the weekend at a nearby hotel and visit Ivan on a Saturday and then again on Monday. Ferez-vous la mme chose. He is now on death row, and for 13 years I have been his loyal friend. Ivan Cantu maintains his innocence over the murder of his cousin. Ivan Cantu would steal the victims jewelry and vehicle. This article was published in collaboration with Vice. 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? Cousins By Blood Trailer May 01, 2022. 7 True Crime Podcasts To Listen To As You Self-Isolate, Unsolved Mysteries Is Like Watching A Reddit Thread Come To Life. We, the undersigned, ask that you do everything within your power to stop this execution, including issuing a stay, and seeking a path to clemency in the case. The philosopher and theologian Paul Tillich once wrote, Doubt is not the opposite of faith. New evidence has been discovered and new suspects uncovered. Ivan Cantu was sentenced to death by the State of Texas for a double murder robbery. Donations from readers like you are essential to sustaining this work. Ivan Cantu Texas Death Row. Last year, when the court published a denial of Ivans previous appeal, I asked his wife, Tammy, to send me everything: the trial transcript, the crime scene photos, the legal documents, Ivans side of the story and any documentation from the investigations. Your email address will not be published. Police arrested Cantu for the murders. Cantus fingerprints were found on the guns magazine, and Mosquedas blood was found on the guns barrel. Cantu took the engagement ring that had belonged to Kitchen and gave it to Boettcher. In the course of my investigation I will highlight the mistakes, corruption, and apathy that plagues the legal sys. The podcast also focuses on the behavior and motivations of Andreacchios then-girlfriend, who has since sued both the family and the podcast. I started to cry. When 21-year old Christian Andreacchio was found dead in his apartments upstairs bathroom, the police immediately ruled the death a suicide. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. 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. I never asked too much about the murders, never wanting to delve into that darkness. Ivan strongly believes with this evidence, he can prove his innocence. Ivan has been on death row for 20 years and maintains his innocence. - Trial counsel did not interview witnesses on the states witness list prior to trial. Action Network is an open platform that empowers individuals and groups to organize for progressive causes. The rest of my family think I'm crazy, but my daughter has met Ivan and likes him. Terry Funk is not only still alive but looking pretty darn good after all . Page 3 of 3 First 1 2 3. Both were found guilty; at his trial, Pitonyak claimed he didnt remember the killing, so what actually happened and why remains murky to this day. He and I write once or twice a month, and there is not a letter I receive in which he doesnt encourage me in some way, and ask how my son and husband are. But I know you have to ask that, I get it.. Ivan did not receive a fair trial. This entire time, Ivan has never been been given all the evidence into the investigation of this case. 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. - 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. He spoke rapidly during our hours together, anxiety and desperation pervading his words and gestures. Independently produced podcasts or ones that focus on unheralded cases can easily fall under the radar. ** This post is showing arrest information only. Cantu, Ivan Abner: TDCJ Number: 999399: Date of Birth: 06/14/1973: Date Received: 11/08/2001: Age (when Received) 28: Education Level (Highest Grade Completed) 12: . Send us an email with your name and your message at support@actionnetwork.org and we'll get back to you as soon as possible. He was convicted largely on the testimony of his then girlfriend, who claimed he was covered in blood on the night of the murders, but apart from some blood-smeared jeans found in a bin in his home in Dallas (which were two sizes too big for him), no evidence ever linked Ivan to the crime scene. In 2005, 21-year-old Jennifer Cave was shot, stabbed, and partially dismembered in her friends condo. We are writing to ask that you to stop the April 26, 2023 execution of Ivan Cantu for the 2001 killings of James Mosqueda and Amy Kitchen. To learn more about Ivan's case, head over to the Cousins By Blood Podcast. Cantu then told Boettcher that he was going to their house to kill them, but Boettcher did not believe him. 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. I was 45 years old and doing a criminal justice degree inLouisiana when I met Ivan Cantu. or. I knew that immersing myself in the details of the crime would mean trying to understand both sides, asking tough questions, and entertaining possibilities about Ivan that Id never allowed myself to. The Supreme Court madeno comment Monday regarding its decision. Ivan is a man of action. But the story we are told that "it's out of the governor's hands," is only true if we allow it to be. Weve never been able to touch.' 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The podcast is narrated by Duff, who uncovers potentially planted evidence, new information impeaching the testimony of Cantus girlfriend, and plenty of other suspects from the cousins shadowy underworld ties. Ivan Cantu maintains his innocence over the murder of his cousin. Ivan admitted to keeping active on his spacious land in the Texas area. 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. Police found no evidence of forced entry at Mosqueda and Kitchens house. Such was the intensity and proximity of Cantu's gaze that even the normal business of glancing down to check recording levels was . Ivan Abner Cantu was booked on 8/16/2021 in Collin County, Texas. Ivan Abner Cantu - Texas Execution - April 26, 2023, http://www.ca5.uscourts.gov/opinions16-70016.0.pdf, http://www.dallasnews.com/news/courtal-second-time, https://www.supremecourt.gov/search.es/16-7874.htm, https://www.usnews.com/news/best-stan-on-death-row, High-Profile Non-Capital Punishment Trials, Remembrance, Missing Persons, Unsolved Murders, North Carolina - Female Death Row Inmates, Inmates No Longer On Death Row - Executed, Commuted or Released (Members Only), Death Row Inmates and Former Death Row Inmates Who Died in Prison. In The Orange Tree, named after the condominium where the crime took place, two journalism students at UT, who found all the major players in the case, attempt to understand what led to Caves murder. . Click here to learn more or change your cookie settings. Deshawn Thomas Executes Homeless Man In St Louis, Sheborah Thomas Gets 40 Years For Killing 2 Kids, NFL Zac Stacy Gets 6 Months For Brutal Assault, Brendan Depa Charged For Knocking Out Teachers Aide, Jack Colton Charged In Sexual Assault Of 12 Yr Old, Taylor Frankie Paul Charged With Domestic Violence, Steven Pfeil Teen Killer Murders 2 In Illinois, Antonio Barbeau and Nathan Paape Teen Killers, Dylan Schumaker Teen Killer Murders 23 Month Boy, Lacy Aaron Schmidt Teen Killer Murders Ex Girlfriend, Amber Wright Teen Killer Seath Jackson Murder, James Parker And Robert Tulloch Teen Killers, Bobby Gonzales Teen Killer Murders Girlfriends Mother, Education Level (Highest Grade Completed). STATE WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS- Counsel was not communicative with Cantu and rendered ineffective assistance by failing to challenge trial counsels performance at the guilt/innocence phase of trial. Additionally, you may reach out now to the Board at bpp_clemency@tdcj.texas.gov and the Governor at https://gov.texas.gov/contact/ and (512) 463-1782. He had learning . 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. 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. On the night of the murder, he returned to his apartment that he shared with his . 12-17-2022, 07:51 AM #28. kabe1979. Your email address will not be published. Then her apartment was set on fire. In the 15 episodes released so far, some of the most compelling material is the family melodrama unleashed by the case, and listeners get a front-row seat to jailhouse calls between Cantu and his mom and aunt. If you do, enabling JavaScript should get around the problems. Ivan Cantu has received an execution date of April 26th, 2023. Now 20 years later, questions about Ivan's guilt or innocence remain and the case is being reinvestigated. Ivan Cantu, 44, had argued that . . These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Knowing that youre behind us means so much. Executing Ivan Cantu when there are numerous concerns about the veracity of the case against him is utterly irresponsible. Ivan Cantu left his apartment with his gun and returned an hour later driving Kitchens Mercedes. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. One day my daughter and Iwere shopping and I was looking at cards for Ivan and she said: "Were you ever going to tell me you loved this guy?" He knows how to get the job done fast, accurately and right on target. Here are some under-the-radar podcasts making waves with true crime obsessives. It would have been an evening like any other except for the fact that it was the couples last. All persons displayed here are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. 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. Cantu and Boettcher then went together to the victims house in Kitchens Mercedes. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. New suspects are uncovered, new evidence has been discovered, and the clock is ticking to Ivan's Execution Day. There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. The podcast grew out of private investigator Matt Duffs inquiry into the case of Ivan Cantu, a Latinx man from Texas who sits on death row for the execution-style murders of his then-27-year-old cousin and his cousins fianc in 2000. Such was the intensity and proximity of Cantu's gaze that even the normal business of glancing down to check recording levels was . Death row was a horrifying place. They were arrested, and Pitonyak was eventually tried for Caves murder, while Hall was prosecuted as an accomplice. We have only two hours together. Required fields are marked *. And because we are friends, we also talked about the mundane: music, books, NPR shows, anything to get his mind off the bleakness of solitary confinement. ***Ivan Cantu has a scheduled Execution Date of April 26th 2023*** Cousins By Blood is a true crime podcast investigation, unfolding episode by episode. 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. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Get the latest breaking news from North Texas and beyond. Hewas so frightened. Death row was a horrifying place. These cookies do not store any personal information. Last August, I visited Ivan on death row and asked him if he committed this crime. Thankfully, were in a golden era of true crime storytelling, especially in podcast form. On 28 March this year I learned Ivan had been given an execution date: 30 August. I feel very isolated nobody understands what I'm going through. [Your Name]. Ivan had been sentenced for murdering his cousin and his cousin's fiancee at their home in Dallas. 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. Default is the last 30 days . Community See All. I didn't for a moment think he had the same feelings, but we talked as though we had been friends for years. In 2000, Ivan Cantu was arrested for the murders of his cousin James Mosqueda and Amy Kitchen, James's fianc. Texas' aggressive execution schedule marks it as an outlier in its use of the death penalty while the majority of other states are on a downward trend of executions. "I never committed murder, and I want to prove it to the world, prove it to the Mosquedas, the Kitchens, and come home. was 45 years old and doing a criminal justice degree inLouisiana when I met Ivan Cantu. Alessa Dominguez is a senior culture writer for BuzzFeed News and is based in New York. He was charged with CAPITAL MURDER IN COMM OF CITED OFFENSES. Helmed by director Thea Sharrock, The One and Only Ivan is based on author K. A. Applegate's novel by the same name. 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. They initially zeroed in on just one suspect: a man who happened upon the flames. 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