Murder For Hire Trial Unveils Dark Conspiracy: During the trial, disturbing details about an alleged plot to murder for financial gain emerge. John Cantu, accused of fatally shooting Mike Perez in Feb 2019, is at the core of this chilling tale. He’s charged with capital murder.
According to the prosecution’s opening comments, Cantu is accused of receiving $500 from his sister-in-law, Christina Rodriguez, intending to harm Perez.
The plan’s evil reasons reveal Rodriguez’s dire situation. She blamed Mike Perez, one of her drug runners, for dilution problems with her supplier.
She asked her husband, Manuel Cantu, to do the sad job. But he declined. That’s when his brother, John Cantu, joined this tragic situation.
Carmen Hernandez babysat Manuel Cantu and Rodriguez when she lived with them. Her evidence was crucial. She mentioned overhearing Rodriguez and John Cantu discussing their evil plan. Part of the plan was for Rodriguez to give Cantu bullets and pay him for the act.
Hernandez said Perez was taken to their house on Illg Avenue, where Manuel Cantu beat him, and John Cantu shot him five times, killing him. Afterward, they carelessly dumped Perez’s body on a nearby street.
Hernandez’s testimony is crucial due to limited physical evidence, as Perez’s body was discovered days after his death.
Manuel Cantu and Christina Rodriguez are also charged with capital murder and await their cases.
If John Cantu is found guilty, he could face life in prison without parole. It is a bad outcome for a terrible crime in the dark.
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Our Reader’s Queries
What are the elements of murder-for-hire?
Section 1958 makes it unlawful to: 1) travel or utilize interstate or foreign transportation systems; 2) with the intention of committing murder against State or Federal laws; 3) in exchange for money or other financial compensation.