A couple of weeks ago,
Markos posted a story on the 1993 execution of Ruben Cantu who was 17 at the time of the crime for which he was executed. Markos cited a
Houston Chronicle investigative piece that uncovered evidence that Cantu was probably innocent.
Most of the Chronicle's story centers on the testimony of David Garza, a life-long friend of Cantu's. Garza now admits that he was at the crime scene with another young man, but Cantu was not there. Garza confided in Cantu two weeks after the murder, but Cantu refused to betray his friends, even to save his own life.
Ruben Cantu was executed on August 24, 1993.
Now, another man is joining Garza in proclaiming Cantu innocent. This other man should know, he was one of the victims in the shooting.
The original Chronicle expose Markos cited included this:
Even if Garza is lying, the Chronicle found other problems with Cantu's conviction, a case that was built almost entirely on the account of a lone eyewitness.
That eyewitness, Juan Moreno, was a 19-year-old illegal immigrant when, along with his friend, he was shot at least nine times during the Briggs Street robbery. Moreno survived; his friend did not.
Now, Moreno, the accuser and key witness, has joined Garza, the accused accomplice, in telling the Chronicle that Cantu was never at the murder scene.
"They put the blame on the wrong person," Moreno said. Cantu "was innocent. I am sure."
Later, that eyewitness told more. Juan Moreno held a news conference on November 30, 2005 to ask for changes in the judicial process in death penalty cases.
Through an interpreter, Moreno told reporters that he identified Ruben Cantu as the triggerman in a robbery that left a man dead and Cantu wounded because he was afraid and felt pressured by authorities.
How does Bexar County District Attorney, Susan Reed respond? Does she seek testimony from Moreno about the pressure he felt? Does she request an investigation into who allegedly pressured Moreno? Does she seek any answers to the claim of a brutal crime victim that he was "pressured" to finger the wrong man? Does she request a review of Death Penalty policies in Texas?
No. Instead, she announces on Dec 5 that she has decided to investigate Moreno.
Moreno's attorney, Gerald Goldstein had this to say:
It is a shame that our district attorney sees fit to investigate someone who was a victim of a brutal crime shooting, then victimized by overzealous police. And now she seeks to victimize him again.
O.K., I think to myself, if she wants to pursue perjury, I can understand. I'd rather investigate Moreno's claims of "pressure" for his perjury, but I'm not the DA. However,
Reed said the statute of limitations for perjury is three years in prison in Texas so she can't pursue perjury charges against Moreno, but if she determines he did indeed lie, he could face murder charges.
Murder? So the man who was brutally shot while another next to him was killed, may now face murder charges for the execution of an innocent man the authorities allegedly pressured him to ID as the murder suspect?
I was dumbfounded and a bit ticked off that the DA is not mentioning Moreno's allegation of pressure by the authorities. My intent was to post a diary, then put up Susan Reed's phone number in case anyone feels like I do. I figured I could post the number and invite anyone concerned to call the DA's office and let them know how you feel about this. So I googled Susan Reed. Not only did I find her phone number, but I found this very interesting fact:
Again, from the Houston Chronicle
SAN ANTONIO - The San Antonio district attorney who promised Wednesday to vigorously investigate the innocence claim of Ruben Cantu was a player in the case well before his 1993 execution.
During her days as a Bexar County judge, Susan Reed rejected Cantu's death-sentence appeal in 1988 and later set his execution date, records show.
This is a very interesting coincidence. Reed claims she doesn't remember Cantu and her role was "minimal". How her being the judge that both denied the death penalty appeal and set the exectution date is considered "minimal" is not explained. She also says her office has requested "thousands of pages" of court, jail, and police documents related to the case. Maybe this is a good sign. Maybe some "pressure" has convinced her to look into Moreno's accusations, and not just to pursue murder charges against him. Or maybe my worst fears are true and she is the stereotypical DA trying to make headlines for herself by prosecuting a "murder by perjury".
I plan on calling her office tomorrow. I am not asking for a flood of angry calls to the DA, but if you feel compelled, the number is (210) 335-2311. Information on Susan Reed and the Bexar County DA's office can be found on their website.