Arnold Schwarzenegger did not break any laws when he reduced the manslaughter
sentence of the son of a political ally just hours before leaving office last
year, a judge ruled on Friday.
Sacramento County superior Court Judge Lloyd Connelly called Schwarzenegger's decision to cut the sentence of Esteban Nunez from 16 years to seven was distasteful and "repugnant to the bulk of the citizenry of this state," but within his executive powers as governor. Nunez is the son of the governor's political ally, Fabian Nunez.
Sacramento County superior Court Judge Lloyd Connelly called Schwarzenegger's decision to cut the sentence of Esteban Nunez from 16 years to seven was distasteful and "repugnant to the bulk of the citizenry of this state," but within his executive powers as governor. Nunez is the son of the governor's political ally, Fabian Nunez.
Esteban Nunez pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in a 2008 attack on an
unarmed group of young men after he and some friends were turned away from a
fraternity party. Three others pleaded guilty to various charges in the attack
that killed 22-year-old college student Luis Santos.
Connelly's ruling came after hearing arguments in lawsuits filed by Santos'
family and the San Diego district attorney, who argued that Schwarzenegger
violated a voter-approved law that requires families be notified about cases
involving their loved ones.
The judge ruled that the legislation did not specifically address the
governor's power of pardons and commutations.
The family of 22-year-old Luis Santos said the judge's words were not enough.
They want the sentence commutation thrown out.
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