Murder Trial Witness Freed In Plea Bargain

A witness whose testimony helped convict another man of murder has been given a suspended sentence under a plea bargain agreement.

Adan “Tito” Cantu, 23, was given a suspended six-month jail sentence and was placed on two years’ probation for a misdemeanor, exhibition of a deadly weapon. He originally was charged with aggravated assault for an incident in October 1995.

Ryan Wiggins was shot to death outside a Twin Falls convenience store in May 1995.

Prosecutors said they struck an agreement with Cantu in which he agreed to testify in the trial of Rudolfo Trevino III in exchange for the lesser charge.

Trevino was convicted earlier this month of shooting Wiggins and will be sentenced later for first-degree murder.

Cantu told the jury he was with Trevino the night Trevino shot Wiggins.

Another person with Trevino at the time of the shooting, Clifford Velasquez, also testified in Trevino’s trial. Charges were dismissed against Velasquez.

Cantu isn’t free of all criminal charges. Twin Falls police last weekend cited him on a new charge of obstructing a police officer. He was with his brother, David, 30, during a domestic dispute.

Police reports said David Cantu resisted efforts to arrest him, and he is charged with aggravated assault, resisting an officer, battery on an officer and domestic battery.