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Nuñez: My Status Affected Son's Criminal Case

Nunez Entire Interview
Nunez Entire Interview

Fabian Nuñez spoke with Marianne Russ of California Capitol Network (CCN).

Former California Assembly Speaker Fabian Nuñez defended former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s controversial decision to commute his son’s sentence from 16 years to seven.

In an interview with California Capitol Network, Nuñez said his son was treated more harshly in San Diego’s courts because of his political status. He believed the ex-governor reversed a wrong that had been done to his son.

“When the justice system in San Diego was done with Estaban, they dealt with him very differently than they dealt with everyone else.," Nuñez said. "And so, to me, that wore very, very heavily on me because, I felt deeply, being who I am, hurt my son.”

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He said the “tragic death” of Luis Santos, who was stabbed during a fight near San Diego State University in 2008, haunts the Nuñez family every day. He does not expect anyone to feel sorry for him and that his pain cannot compare to that of the Santos family.

The controversy over the shortened sentence has not ended. Both the victim’s family and District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis have sued to nullify the commutation.