Schwarzenegger draws fire for commuted sentence

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http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_17000619?nclick_check=1

Schwarzenegger draws fire for commuted sentence
By ELLIOT SPAGAT, Associated Press

SAN DIEGO — When Esteban Nunez was arrested after a stabbing death in 2008, a co-defendant told police the son of former California Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez had boasted that his dad would get them out of trouble. The parents of the victim said Monday that Esteban Nunez was right — political connections had helped.

Outgoing Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's decision during his final hours in office to reduce the manslaughter sentence of Esteban Nunez from 16 to seven years sparked criticism that he was doing a political favor for an old ally. The move came even though a judge had agreed with prosecutors less than three months ago that Nunez's 16-year term should not be shortened.

"The courts agreed this was a correct sentence, so they decided to go the political route," said Fred Santos, who son Luis was killed in the confrontation involving Nunez and others who were upset after being ejected from a fraternity party in San Diego. "All along this was my concern, that the politicians would interfere," Santos said. The family learned of the governor's decision when a reporter called late Sunday. "I think it's very sneaky," said Kathy Santos, the victim's mother. "It's just a political deal."

San Diego County District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis, whose office prosecuted Nunez, was also critical. "We were shocked to hear of the governor's last-minute commutation, which greatly diminishes justice for victim Luis Santos and re-victimizes his family and friends," Dumanis said in a statement. "The district attorney's office was not consulted, and the decision comes as the appeals process was continuing." ...

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