http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/3474407.html

Nov. 21, 2005, 3:30PM

CANTU CASE: DEATH AND DOUBT
Executed man's co-defendant says years of guilt have led him to try to clear his friend's name
Silence vow blamed for ultimate penalty
By LISE OLSEN
© 2005, Houston Chronicle

They were two teenagers who shared a deadly pact of silence: One grew up in prison tortured by a secret that might have stopped his friend's execution, and the other went to his death without revealing what he knew.

Ruben Cantu and David Garza's teenage bond was forged in the unforgiving streets on the south side of San Antonio, where the only rule they learned to respect was never to snitch.

When they were both arrested in 1985 for a neighborhood murder-robbery, Cantu, 17 at the time of the crime, insisted he was innocent and was condemned to die. Garza, 15, admitted guilt only to robbery â€â€