In the state of Texas, there have been far too many times where marginalized communities have been targeted. The TCADP reported that “over the last 5 years, nearly 70 percent of death sentences have been imposed on people of color; more than 40 percent were imposed on Black defendants. In 2024, five of the six men sentenced to death are people of color: three are Black; one is Hispanic; and one is Native American” .

More often than not- these people are found to be not guilty.

There is strong evidence that Texas has executed at least 7 innocent men. (TCADP)

Two Cases That Don’t Sit Right With Me :

All Information regarding this case was provided by “The Phantom”, directed by: Patrick Forbes

The Carlos DeLuna case is one of the most talked about regarding an unfair sentence to death in Texas. Carlos DeLuna was a young Hispanic man living in Corpus Christi, Texas. He got sentenced to death row with no chance of pardon for the murder of Wanda Lopez at a local gas station. Carlos claimed his innocence from the day of his arrest and was killed with no actual evidence that he committed this crime. The only evidence provided during his trial was from an eye witness who misidentified him. Carlos Hernandez is the actual perpetrator of this crime. Carlos Hernandez was a “friend”of Carlos DeLuna, and they were both at the gas station during the time of the crime. Hernandez let DeLuna take the fall for his crime. The documentary made by Patrick Forbes includes statements from peers of Hernandez on how he bragged about committing these violent crimes against women, and listed Wanda as one of his victims. Texas investigators completely overlooked the evidence against Hernandez, which resulted in killing an innocent man. Carlos DeLuna was never offered a fair trial. Carlos Deluna was failed by the Texas justice system.

Ruben Cantu was a teenager living in San Antonio. He was convicted and sentenced death for the murder of Pedro Gomez based on one eyewitness who pointed him out in a lineup. There was no evidence found at the scene. Ruben claimed his innocence- even going as far to writting a letter to San Antonio residents, stating that he was being framed. He was represented at the trial by an inexperienced attorney who had never before represented a capital murder defendant. This attorney failed to have Ruben psychologically examined and didn’t present any supporting evidence of his family or social background. Lisa Olsen- an investigative reporter- found during her research that the eyewitness account was flawed as the original claim was that he saw “two Mexican teenagers”. Defense attorneys tried to appeal Ruben’s case multiple times, attacking police for persuading the eyewitness, but all appeals were denied and Ruben was executed at 26. Ruben Cantu was failed by the Texas justice system. He will forever be 26.

What should be “innocent until proven guilty” has turned into “guilty with no chance to prove innocence”.

Cases like these happened due to law enforcement being negligent. When violent crimes happen, law enforcement is quick to point fingers because they need someone to blame. If they don’t have any suspects, then they start losing faith of the people. Innocent lives are being taken. It doesn’t matter how much we “revise” our death penalty system, there will always be flaws. With the value of a human life at stake, there should be no room for mistakes.

The death penalty is a high risk, no reward situation.

In the state of Texas, there have been far too many times where marginalized communities have been targeted. The TCADP reported that “over the last 5 years, nearly 70 percent of death sentences have been imposed on people of color; more than 40 percent were imposed on Black defendants. In 2024, five of the six men sentenced to death are people of color: three are Black; one is Hispanic; and one is Native American” .

More often than not- these people are found to be not guilty.

There is strong evidence that Texas has executed at least 7 innocent men. (TCADP)

Two Cases That Don’t Sit Right With Me :

All Information regarding this case was provided by “The Phantom”, directed by: Patrick Forbes

The Carlos DeLuna case is one of the most talked about regarding an unfair sentence to death in Texas. Carlos DeLuna was a young Hispanic man living in Corpus Christi, Texas. He got sentenced to death row with no chance of pardon for the murder of Wanda Lopez at a local gas station. Carlos claimed his innocence from the day of his arrest and was killed with no actual evidence that he committed this crime. The only evidence provided during his trial was from an eye witness who misidentified him. Carlos Hernandez is the actual perpetrator of this crime. Carlos Hernandez was a “friend”of Carlos DeLuna, and they were both at the gas station during the time of the crime. Hernandez let DeLuna take the fall for his crime. The documentary made by Patrick Forbes includes statements from peers of Hernandez on how he bragged about committing these violent crimes against women, and listed Wanda as one of his victims. Texas investigators completely overlooked the evidence against Hernandez, which resulted in killing an innocent man. Carlos DeLuna was never offered a fair trial. Carlos Deluna was failed by the Texas justice system.

Ruben Cantu was a teenager living in San Antonio. He was convicted and sentenced death for the murder of Pedro Gomez based on one eyewitness who pointed him out in a lineup. There was no evidence found at the scene. Ruben claimed his innocence- even going as far to writting a letter to San Antonio residents, stating that he was being framed. He was represented at the trial by an inexperienced attorney who had never before represented a capital murder defendant. This attorney failed to have Ruben psychologically examined and didn’t present any supporting evidence of his family or social background. Lisa Olsen- an investigative reporter- found during her research that the eyewitness account was flawed as the original claim was that he saw “two Mexican teenagers”. Defense attorneys tried to appeal Ruben’s case multiple times, attacking police for persuading the eyewitness, but all appeals were denied and Ruben was executed at 26. Ruben Cantu was failed by the Texas justice system. He will forever be 26.

What should be “innocent until proven guilty” has turned into “guilty with no chance to prove innocence”.

Cases like these happened due to law enforcement being negligent. When violent crimes happen, law enforcement is quick to point fingers because they need someone to blame. If they don’t have any suspects, then they start losing faith of the people. Innocent lives are being taken. It doesn’t matter how much we “revise” our death penalty system, there will always be flaws. With the value of a human life at stake, there should be no room for mistakes.

The death penalty is a high risk, no reward situation.