Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman has reversed a ban on seeking the death penalty, allowing county prosecutors to pursue it once again.
The move fulfills a promise Hochman made in his campaign for district attorney last year.
The big picture: The death penalty under Hochman’s control will only be sought in “exceedingly rare cases” and the most egregious crimes, as stated by the county prosecutorial office.
- Hochman emphasized the importance of thoroughly evaluating every special circumstance murder case prosecuted in Los Angeles County, highlighting the seriousness of the decision to pursue the death penalty.
Flashback: Gov. Gavin Newsom implemented a moratorium on the death penalty in California in 2019, and the state’s last execution took place in 2006, with the governor’s term ending in January 2027.
Go deeper: The new policy in LA allows defense attorneys to provide information about defendants when considering the death penalty, and it also allows survivors of murder victims to share their perspectives.
- Hochman reiterated the obligation of the district attorney to consider the death penalty as long as it is permitted under California law, regardless of the governor’s stance on the issue.
- Hochman pointed to extreme cases like the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting and the 2017 Las Vegas mass shooting as examples where the death penalty could be considered.
- Hochman’s decision to reinstate the death penalty option contrasts with his predecessor, George Gascón, who removed the option and conducted a review of all condemned LA County inmates to overturn their death penalty sentences.
