|
Post by pumpkinpie on Sept 12, 2009 22:09:14 GMT -5
Cantu loses appeal in gang rape, murder case Tuesday, August 11, 2009 | 7:51 PM HOUSTON -- A federal appeals court on Tuesday refused to hear from a death row inmate accused of being the ringleader of a gang of teenagers convicted of raping and killing two teenage Houston girls 16 years ago. The denial from the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals moves Peter Anthony Cantu, 34, closer to execution for the murders of Elizabeth Pena, 16, and her 14-year-old friend, Jennifer Ertman. The girls were gang raped, beaten and strangled in an attack that shocked crime-hardened Houston and attracted national attention for its brutality. The girls' bodies, decomposing in the blazing Houston heat, were found four days after the pair failed to return home. Cantu, who was 18 at the time of the slayings, and four companions -- all 17 or 18 -- received death sentences. Two already have been executed. Two others had their sentences commuted to life after the U.S. Supreme Court barred the death penalty for those who were under 18 at the time of their crimes. A sixth suspect was sentenced to 40 years. In the appeal, Cantu's lawyers argued that his due process rights were violated because trial jurors should have been told that he would have had to serve 35 years of a life sentence before he became eligible for parole. They questioned the trial judge's jury instructions and whether mitigating evidence like character issues and criminal background presented to jurors at his 1994 trial was proper. They also contended Cantu's trial lawyers were deficient for not objecting to admission of crime scene photos into evidence and for failing to object when prosecutors urged jurors to consider those photos when they were deciding Cantu's punishment. In its ruling, a three-judge panel of the New Orleans-based 5th Circuit unanimously refused to allow Cantu to move forward on any of the issues. The court let stand his conviction and death sentence for the slayings that even the court described as "grisly." Jennifer Ertman's father, Randy Ertman, declined to comment about the ruling Tuesday. Andy Kahan, a crime victims advocate for the city of Houston, said Ertman told him his daughter's birthday would have been in four days. Evidence showed the girls were trying to return home the night of June 24, 1993, and took a short cut over a railroad trestle when they stumbled into an initiation being held by a gang that called itself the "Black and Whites." In a savage ordeal, the two were raped and forced to perform sex acts, then were beaten and strangled with a belt and shoelaces. Evidence showed Cantu kicked Pena in the face with his steel-toed boot and that he and other gang members stood on the girls' necks to be certain they were dead. Court documents show the gang then went to Cantu's home where they bragged about the crime to his brother and sister-in-law, who later reported to police what they had heard. That led to the discovery of the bodies in a nearby wooded area and the arrests. In 2006, Derrick O'Brien became the first of the gang members executed. Jose Medellin was put to death last year. Two others, Efrain Perez and Raul Villarreal, both 17 at the time of the killings, had their death sentences commuted to life in prison in 2005. Medellin's brother, Vernancio, who was 14 at the time, is serving a 40-year prison term, the maximum for a juvenile. Cantu does not yet have an execution date. abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?section=news/local&id=6960340
|
|
|
Post by pumpkinpie on Sept 12, 2009 22:50:22 GMT -5
The details of this case were absolutely nauseating for me to read! And to think- two girls minding their own business, walking home together had to endure such an absolute nightmate and such undeserving suffering! Suffering that most of us can't even begin to imagine. I know I can't.
It doesn't seem to me as though these guys felt one bit of remorse at any time after the fact. How does one become so cold-blooded, cruel and discusting?
|
|
|
Post by briseis on Sept 13, 2009 18:26:50 GMT -5
I am deeply saddened on hearing that Cantu has lost his last appeal but it was expected. With both O'Brien and Medellin executed, it was only a matter of time for Cantu.
As to their crime, yes it was horrific that those boys (at the time) committed such a brutal crime, and I feel deeply for the families of those two poor girls. I also feel deeply for Cantu and his family at this time.
|
|
|
Post by ♥Eva♥ on Sept 14, 2009 0:07:42 GMT -5
My thoughts and my heart are with Elizabeth Pena and Jennifer Ertman! May they rest in peace! I wish to apologize to anyone who feels it's an insult to post their pictures on a thread dedicated to one of their heartless murderers! I really understand and respect this criticism! On the other hand remembering Jennifer and Elizabeth helps us stay in the light and not bond with evil! I approve of pc's appeal being denied! May this murderer serve as a deterring example to anyone capable of such a horrific cruelty!
|
|
|
Post by pumpkinpie on Sept 14, 2009 7:05:53 GMT -5
My thoughts and my heart are with Elizabeth Pena and Jennifer Ertman! May they rest in peace! I wish to apologize to anyone who feels it's an insult to post their pictures on a thread dedicated to one of their heartless murderers! I really understand and respect this criticism! On the other hand remembering Jennifer and Elizabeth helps us stay in the light and not bond with evil! I approve of pc's appeal being denied! May this murderer serve as a deterring example to anyone capable of such a horrific cruelty! This thread is not "dedicated" to Peter. I put it up in the debate section so people can openly post their feelings about this case, because we've gotten so much interest in this topic here! You putting up a picuture of these beautiful girls who should have never been taken from this world is a nice memorial tribute. I could care less about Peter, or any of these killers who contributed to this brutal crime, personally. Let him rot, whatever. Killing him won't bring the girls back. One of these killers who contributed to this crime actually said to the victims family right before being executed, that he was sorry that his actions had caused them pain! He didn't even actually apologize FOR his actions, just said that he was sorry that what he did had hurt them. Nothings gonna change anything. All these guys did was gloat about the crime afterwards, like the devils in disguise. They didn't feel any remorse then, I'm sure Peter probably doesn't now either. And if he does, it's probaby just an act. I don't "vote" for anyone's execution, even the worst of the worst, which is what this guy is, because there is just no point. I don't care how young he was when this crime was committed, it was monsterous........ I'm tired of people thinking they have the right to hurt people! What gives them the right?
|
|
|
Post by briseis on Sept 14, 2009 9:38:56 GMT -5
I used to write to one of the convicts involved with this particular crime. And he was extremely remorseful for what he had done. Whether anyone chooses to believe it's an 'act' or not is up to them. I continued my correspondence with this man due to the fact that he was remorseful, and I believe that he was. The material point is the execution of Cantu will not bring the girls back. If it did, I personally would be all for Capital Punishment. But it doesn't. Still, Cantu will probably die and I can only hope that his execution brings some 'peace' to the families of the girls involved. For I can't think of anything else 'good' that will come out of it. Regardless of the severity of this crime and regardless of any remorse the convict displays whether it be an act or not, if I had my way, Cantu would be removed from Death Row and remain in prison serving LWOP.
|
|
|
Post by kassiepoo on Sept 14, 2009 10:21:55 GMT -5
Whether we agree with the death penalty or not..right or wrong, when you live in a place where the death penalty exists and you commit an act like this, you deserve whatever you get. I do not understand how someone writes a person like this, and can say that they could tell he was remorseful. It's like the internet, you can be made to believe anything online or on paper. And even if you are remorseful, is that a reason your life should be spared? Did you feel any reason to spare the victims' lives? Okay, killing Peter Cantu or any of the others involved, won't bring the girls back. Well guess what! These monsters saying they are sorry will not bring them back either. I say bring on the execution!!!
|
|
|
Post by briseis on Sept 14, 2009 10:32:46 GMT -5
I did not say or even suggest that whether a person is remorseful or not has any impact on my objection to the death penalty. In fact I specifically said that whether a person is remorseful or not, that I still disagree with the death penalty and still favour LWOP. My reasons for objecting to the death penalty have got nothing to do with whether a convict is remorseful or not. I was not 'made to believe' that my former pen pal was remorseful. But I do believe that he was, although I cannot be certain. But nor can you be certain that he isn't remorseful. Just as you can't understand how anyone could write to a DR convict, nor can I understand how anyone could support the killing of another human being. I see that you are new, so welcome to the forum!
|
|
|
Post by ♥Eva♥ on Sept 14, 2009 23:12:02 GMT -5
I used to write to one of the convicts involved with this particular crime. And he was extremely remorseful for what he had done. Whether anyone chooses to believe it's an 'act' or not is up to them. I continued my correspondence with this man due to the fact that he was remorseful, and I believe that he was. The material point is the execution of Cantu will not bring the girls back. If it did, I personally would be all for Capital Punishment. But it doesn't. Still, Cantu will probably die and I can only hope that his execution brings some 'peace' to the families of the girls involved. For I can't think of anything else 'good' that will come out of it. Regardless of the severity of this crime and regardless of any remorse the convict displays whether it be an act or not, if I had my way, Cantu would be removed from Death Row and remain in prison serving LWOP. Dearest Briseis! Actually i couldn't care less about pc's utterances and it's really a tragedy that a heinous murderer has such a support group! One of the biggest "politically correct lies" of this modern era is the big lie that the death penalty isn't a deterrent and doesn't deter the type of murders that it's applied to! In this case a horrific rape, torture murder! The deterrent effect of the death penalty is the one fact that antis must deny or be marginalized! The only value pc has now is to serve as a deterring message to anyone at large contemplating such a horrible murder! No we can't bring Jennifer and Elizabeth back physically, but with a decisive and uncompromising example we make of their killer we really do send a message that reduces such murderous attacks! bible.cc/matthew/5-13.htmYe are the salt of the earth: but if the salt has lost its savor, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out and trodden under foot of men.In Biblical times salt deterred the spread of corruption and protected what we wished to protect and perserve! It is also a lethal poison for all that causes this decay and corruption. In dealing with pure evil we have to be harsh and uncompromising and not sweet and sugary!
|
|
|
Post by ♥Eva♥ on Sept 14, 2009 23:44:41 GMT -5
My thoughts and my heart are with Elizabeth Pena and Jennifer Ertman! May they rest in peace! I wish to apologize to anyone who feels it's an insult to post their pictures on a thread dedicated to one of their heartless murderers! I really understand and respect this criticism! On the other hand remembering Jennifer and Elizabeth helps us stay in the light and not bond with evil! I approve of pc's appeal being denied! May this murderer serve as a deterring example to anyone capable of such a horrific cruelty! This thread is not "dedicated" to Peter. I put it up in the debate section so people can openly post their feelings about this case, because we've gotten so much interest in this topic here! You putting up a picuture of these beautiful girls who should have never been taken from this world is a nice memorial tribute. I could care less about Peter, or any of these killers who contributed to this brutal crime, personally. Let him rot, whatever. Killing him won't bring the girls back. One of these killers who contributed to this crime actually said to the victims family right before being executed, that he was sorry that his actions had caused them pain! He didn't even actually apologize FOR his actions, just said that he was sorry that what he did had hurt them. Nothings gonna change anything. All these guys did was gloat about the crime afterwards, like the devils in disguise. They didn't feel any remorse then, I'm sure Peter probably doesn't now either. And if he does, it's probaby just an act. I don't "vote" for anyone's execution, even the worst of the worst, which is what this guy is, because there is just no point. I don't care how young he was when this crime was committed, it was monsterous........ I'm tired of people thinking they have the right to hurt people! What gives them the right? No they didn't have any remorse and thought it was a big laugh! I don't even use the legal names of murderers of this ilk! If i posted this thread it would be called "Ertman-Pena killer's appeal Denied"! It's not about revenge it's about being decisive! We can't let potential murderers of this ilk believe that the worst that could happen is early retirement in a couch potatoe's paradise! NO! They should know the penalty that they fear most awaits them, if they commit such an evil act! www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=pv&GRid=7051821 Jennifer Ertman was an only child! Her brokenhearted parents visit her in the cemetery! And kind hearted people, who often didn't know her in real life, also visit her and Elizabeth Pena, who's buried nearby and leave a flower or a token that they care at their gravesites!
|
|
|
Post by briseis on Sept 15, 2009 4:29:56 GMT -5
There is another post where we are discussing the DP as a deterrent and statistics show quite the contrary to what you are suggesting, whereby states with the DP have higher murder rates and states without the DP have lower murder rates. 'When comparisons are made between states with the death penalty and states without, the majority of death penalty states show murder rates higher than non-death penalty states. The average of murder rates per 100,000 population in 1999 among death penalty states was 5.5, whereas the average of murder rates among non-death penalty states was only 3.6. A look at neighboring death penalty and non-death penalty states show similar trends. Death penalty states usually have a higher murder rate than their neighboring non-death penalty states.' www.deathpenaltyinfo.orgNow obviously statistics may only provide limited information but I have seen NO evidence whatsoever which would even suggest to me that the DP is a deterrent and yet plenty of evidence to suggest that it isn't. The memorial to the Pena/Ertman girls is beautiful under the tree. This really is a very sad case.
|
|
|
Post by pumpkinpie on Sept 15, 2009 17:02:07 GMT -5
I used to write to one of the convicts involved with this particular crime. And he was extremely remorseful for what he had done. Whether anyone chooses to believe it's an 'act' or not is up to them. I continued my correspondence with this man due to the fact that he was remorseful, and I believe that he was. The material point is the execution of Cantu will not bring the girls back. If it did, I personally would be all for Capital Punishment. But it doesn't. Still, Cantu will probably die and I can only hope that his execution brings some 'peace' to the families of the girls involved. For I can't think of anything else 'good' that will come out of it. Regardless of the severity of this crime and regardless of any remorse the convict displays whether it be an act or not, if I had my way, Cantu would be removed from Death Row and remain in prison serving LWOP. Dearest Briseis! Actually i couldn't care less about pc's utterances and it's really a tragedy that a heinous murderer has such a support group! One of the biggest "politically correct lies" of this modern era is the big lie that the death penalty isn't a deterrent and doesn't deter the type of murders that it's applied to! In this case a horrific rape, torture murder! The deterrent effect of the death penalty is the one fact that antis must deny or be marginalized! The only value pc has now is to serve as a deterring message to anyone at large contemplating such a horrible murder! No we can't bring Jennifer and Elizabeth back physically, but with a decisive and uncompromising example we make of their killer we really do send a message that reduces such murderous attacks! Being that this is an anti-death penalty site, we obviously don't support the execution of ANY murderer. Supporting someone's right to life does not mean to support their murderous actions- so get it straight..... In the other section, Banshee CHOSE to start a thread about HER pen-pal! And that was her choice. On this site, in that section, she HAS that right, without getting abuse, or attacks from others! It doesn't matter who that pen-pal is, whether it's Peter Cantu or John Couey himself, people have the right to post about their pen-pals in that section without abusive attacks. And I'm sure this case will really stop people from joining gangs and committing brutal crimes in the future. The death penalty is NOT a deterrant. Executing these guys will never stop any brutal attack from happening again in the future, EVER>.
|
|
|
Post by pumpkinpie on Sept 15, 2009 17:32:59 GMT -5
We can't let potential murderers of this ilk believe that the worst that could happen is early retirement in a couch potatoe's paradise! NO! They should know the penalty that they fear most awaits them, if they commit such an evil act! Do you honestly believe that's what prison is- a couch potatoes paradise?? More like an animal caged up as they should be, living a degrading and dehumanizing existence. I guess that's not enough for some who even go to the extent of calling prison paradise.
|
|
|
Post by ♥Eva♥ on Sept 16, 2009 21:38:17 GMT -5
We can't let potential murderers of this ilk believe that the worst that could happen is early retirement in a couch potatoe's paradise! NO! They should know the penalty that they fear most awaits them, if they commit such an evil act! Do you honestly believe that's what prison is- a couch potatoes paradise?? More like an animal caged up as they should be, living a degrading and dehumanizing existence. I guess that's not enough for some who even go to the extent of calling prison paradise. Free meals, no forced labor! Isn't that a couch potatoe's paradise?
|
|
|
Post by ♥Eva♥ on Sept 16, 2009 21:51:17 GMT -5
There is another post where we are discussing the DP as a deterrent and statistics show quite the contrary to what you are suggesting, whereby states with the DP have higher murder rates and states without the DP have lower murder rates. 'When comparisons are made between states with the death penalty and states without, the majority of death penalty states show murder rates higher than non-death penalty states. The average of murder rates per 100,000 population in 1999 among death penalty states was 5.5, whereas the average of murder rates among non-death penalty states was only 3.6. A look at neighboring death penalty and non-death penalty states show similar trends. Death penalty states usually have a higher murder rate than their neighboring non-death penalty states.' www.deathpenaltyinfo.orgNow obviously statistics may only provide limited information but I have seen NO evidence whatsoever which would even suggest to me that the DP is a deterrent and yet plenty of evidence to suggest that it isn't. The memorial to the Pena/Ertman girls is beautiful under the tree. This really is a very sad case. First off only roughly 1% of murders can qualify as a death penalty case! If a Texan guns down a card cheater he will not face the death penalty because this homicide along with 99% of all homicides is NOT DP eligible! Why do antis always try to include the 99% DP excempt homicides? That's like asking why the DP doesn't reduce robbery-also non-DP eligible in the US. Yes, states with a traditionally high homicide rate will by popular support have the DP as law! Most anti-DP states are in the north and have very cold winters! Any police officer will tell you that cold weather reduces violent crime and keeps criminals off the streets better than any "cop on the beat".
|
|