HUNTSVILLE, Texas — Texas executed Ivan Cantu by lethal injection Wednesday evening, with Cantu maintaining his innocence as family members of his two victims held on to each other.

“I’d like to address the Kitchen and Mosqueda families. I want you to know that I never killed James and Amy. And if I did, if I knew who did, you would’ve been the first to know any information I would’ve had that would’ve helped to bring justice to James and Amy. I would’ve shared.”

Cantu was convicted of the murders in 2000 of his cousin, James Mosqueda, 27, and his cousin’s girlfriend, Amy Kitchen, 22. 

He ran out of appeals at the state level and did not file any with the U.S. Supreme Court. He was pronounced dead at 6:47 p.m. Wednesday.

A number of men and women gathered outside the Huntsville unit of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, but no family members were with Cantu when he was executed.

Before his last statement, while strapped down and covered by several layers of white sheets, Cantu, 50, was given last rites.

“I want you all to know that I don’t think that this situation here will bring you closure. If it does — if this is what it takes or have any reservations off in your mind, then so be it,” Cantu said. “This is not going to help you guys and I want you to know from me that it never occurred. No, I want all of you to know I did not kill James and Amy.”

Cantu went on to thank his attorney, Gena Bund; his mom, Sylvia Cantu; and others including Sister Helen Prejean, who was allowed in the chamber with him for the execution.

As Cantu finished his statement at 6:23 p.m., he told the warden that he was ready. The pentobarbital was then pushed into Cantu’s body as Catholic prayers were offered by Sister Helen.