Arnold Schwarzenegger dodges questions about Fabian Nunez's son, Esteban Nunez
As a movie action hero, Arnold Schwarzenegger never ran away from a challenge but not so for the real-life Arnold Schwarzenegger. The former governor is refusing to answer questions about his controversial decision to reduce the prison sentence of Esteban Nunez, the son of former California Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez.
The Associated Press reports that Schwarzenegger "turned and walked away" when an AP reporter asked about Esteban Nunez on Monday at the inaugural ceremony for Governor Jerry Brown.
His spokesman told reporters that he will not take questions on the matter.
But Schwarzenegger's silence is not silencing critics.
In a statement e-mailed to this reporter, San Diego Jan Goldsmith didn't mince words:
“Esteban Núñez – son of former Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez – is a criminal who was sentenced by an experienced and well-respected Superior Court Judge. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger reduced the sentence by over half to help his political crony’s son. In doing so, he undermined the judicial system and has jeopardized public safety.
"This homicide occurred in the City of San Diego. I speak for the overwhelming majority of San Diegans in stating that we are appalled and angry over Mr. Schwarzenegger’s conduct. It reflects poorly on him, personally, and on his legacy as governor.”
San Diego County District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis wrote the following in statement e-mailed to this reporter: "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. The District Attorney’s Office was not consulted and the decision comes as the appeals process was continuing.”
Click here for an updated story that includes information about a major newspaper that slammed Schwarzenegger in an editorial on Tuesday as well as the commutation becoming a big topic on talk radio.
On his last day in office Sunday, Schwarzenegger reduced the manslaughter sentence for Esteban Nunez from 16 years to seven years in prison.
In a statement, Schwarzenegger called Nunez's sentence "excessive." The governor's statement made no mention that that he is friends with Nunez's father, former California Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez. Although the elder Nunez is a Democrat, two two worked closely on a number of issues including the governor's global warming bill.
Esteban Nunez, 21, is in state prison for his involvement in the stabbing death of Luis Dos Santos, 22. in 2008, Nunez and his three friends fought with Santos after they were refused entry to a fraternity party near San Diego State University. Nunez's friend, Ryan Jett, was determined to have stabbed Santos. Nunez stabbed another man in the fight but that victim survived. Nunez was initially charged with murder but in a plea bargain, he was convicted of manslaughter.
Santos's parents live in Concord, about 45 minutes east of San Francisco. They told KGO-TV that they are outraged by the decision. (See video on the left.) Kathy and Fred Santos said that the decision shows that there is double standard of justice for those who are politically connected.
"He (the governor) had to come up with some excuse of why he commuted the sentence, and did it in such a sneaky way, on the last day of his office. And he didn't even have the courtesy to notify us," Fred Santos told KGO.
Santos told the Los Angeles Times, "This is dirty politics: cutting backroom deals. I guess if you're the son of somebody important you can kill someone and get all sorts of breaks."
Schwarzenegger's replacement, Jerry Brown, was sworn into office Monday.
Comments
Thank you for this article.
My son, former NFL player, Lawrence Phillips, was sentenced to 31 years prison in San Diego, California for a "domestic violence" charge in which Amelia Weisler, the young lady (accuser) wrote to the judge (Judge Kerry Wells) that she was repeatedly intimidated on her job by prosecutors and had "words put in my (her) mouth" by prosecutors during testimony. The public defender representing my son testified prior to trial that he did not have the expertise to represent my son, but was forced to remain on the case.
I am saddened that former Governor Schwarzenegger supported an administration of "tough on crime" rhetoric which violated the constitutional rights of politically unconnected accused persons such as my son, while secretly carrying out a lesser criminal justice standard in a situation that involves the loss of a life. Contact information: legal@lawrencephillips.info
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!