Peter Anthony Cantu is a 35 year old Hispanic male, scheduled to be executed on August 17th in Texas. A clemency must be granted to Peter Cantu. The death penalty in general is immoral, uncivilized, cruel, inhumane, barbaric, unjust and vengeful. No crime warrants a sentence of death. Research has proven that the death penalty (fighting violence with violence) fails to prevent, deter or reduce violent crimes. The death penalty is a form of state sanctioned, pre-meditated and cold blooded murder, which is unacceptable. Killing is wrong, whether it is performed by an individual or by the government in the form of a state-sanctioned execution.

In 1993, Peter was arrested in Houston, Texas for his part in the murders of Elizabeth Pena, 16, and Jennifer Ertman, 14, and in 1994 he was sentenced to death along with four alleged companions. They were convicted of taking part in the rape and murder of two young teens. The girls were abducted by Cantu and members of a street gang which he led, as they walked along railroad tracks, which was a short cut home for them. Both were sexually assaulted by the gang members, beaten and strangled. Evidence showed that Cantu kicked Pena in the face with a steel-toed boot and that he and the other gang members stood on the girls' necks to be certain they were dead. I do not believe this killing was planned or intentional. These girls happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, and stumbled upon a gang initiation. I do not believe that taking this man's life will ease the victims' families pain and suffering and will not restore peace or healing to them.

I empathize with Peter, as he has been on death row for 16 years. That in itself (waiting to be killed), is barbaric and inhumane and cruel. This man was barely 18 years old at the time of the crime. I believe that a person can change after having spent such a long time in prison. His brain was still young and has likely matured. I believe that people can be rehabilitated. The death penalty completely denies the possibility and opportunity for rehabilitation and self-improvement. Therefore, I do not believe in executing a man who has spent 16 years in prison and who may now regret his previous actions as a more mature person.

The death penalty only perpetuates violence and creates new victims- the family members and friends of the executed. Fighting death with death has proven to be ineffective. Cantu and his family are victims of a racially biased, unjust, inhumane and vengeful justice system. 

The death penalty is also a blatant violation of the most basic universal human rights- the right to life/liberty and the right not to be subjected to torture, cruel, inhumane or degrading punishment/treatment. All human beings are entitled to their rights, no matter what they have done in their past. Human rights do not discriminate.

Justice is not advanced in the taking of a human life. The death penalty is revenge. Public safety can effectively be accompishd through a less violent, inhumane, cruel and less restrictive sentence, such as prison. The death penalty does not demonstrate respect for justice or for the human life.

We must help save Peter Cantu's life and commute his death sentence to imprisonment.

Please also sign this additional petition: Save Peter A. Cantu

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/petercantu/

I also urge you to contact the Governor of Texas, Rick Perry and urge him to commute this death sentence and express your concerns about the death penalty:

http://www2.governor.state.tx.us/contact/