PARKS’ PLACE-I trust that many of you read the two-part series in the Los Angeles Times expertly reported by Christopher Goffard about former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s decision to reduce the prison sentence of Esteban Nunez, the son of former Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez.
Nearly seven years ago, a 19-year-old Esteban and some friends around the same age initiated a fight with some other young men in San Diego. Esteban and one of his friends were armed with knives. His opponents weren’t. At the end of the fight, Esteban and his crew left 22-year-old Luis Santos dead and two of his friends wounded.
A generous plea bargain would allow Esteban and one of his accomplices to avoid murder charges and instead give them a manslaughter conviction and 16 years in prison. But, apparently, that was still too much of a penalty for the senior Nunez and Schwarzenegger, who on his last day in office, reduced Esteban’s sentence to only seven years.
This was done even though Esteban Nunez's prior contacts with authorities involved highly-suspicious circumstances. And, his authored rap lyrics included vivid descriptions of knives and the violent activity he planned with them.
There are a lot of things wrong with this. As someone who has had a granddaughter and nephew murdered, I can tell you that the entire "I scratch your back you scratch mine" scenario articulated in the Times is disgusting. And, knowing the people involved, I’m pretty sure all of it is true. There are few days that go by that I don’t think about Lori and Earl. And, for Luis’s parents to have to continuously suffer through this at the hands of the people elected to protect them is a travesty.
It is even sadder to note that just as Esteban had his accomplices, so did Fabian and Schwarzenegger. There were notes of support for the killers—not for the victim. And, those letters were from elected officials and other dignitaries—not from prison groupies.
Our one-time mayor, Antonio Villaraigosa wrote a letter, where he, in essence, explained that because he had shared meals with Esteban that the convicted felon must have "upright character".
Before I sign on to that theory, I would have to know if he let Esteban have control of the steak knives. And, by the way, adding the city seal on the letter was a nice touch.
In close proximity, as always, was former LA County Federation leader, Maria Elena Durazo. This is a woman who spends millions of dollars on mailers, detailing why certain candidates are horrible people. Then, she writes a support letter for…(wait for it) A HOMICIDE CONVICT, Maria Elena Durazo: Three names, two faces... Is this a hypocrite or what?
I have stood next to some of the letter writers at news conferences over the years, for the announcements of reward motions or the search for killers. Villaraigosa was just feet away from me when the LAPD caught the Grim Sleeper Serial Killer suspect, Lonnie Franklin in 2010. He described Franklin as a man who preyed on the innocent and expressed joy that, "this terror has finally come to an end."
All this got me to thinking. What if Lonnie Franklin had a golden ticket to the Governor’s Office? And, from another perspective, what if the families of Michael Brown (City of Ferguson), Eric Garner (City of New York) and Tamir Rice (City of Cleveland) could share a good cigar and a bottle of Schnapps with the governors in their towns? It’s hard to tell.
What I can see is a growing attitude by our public leaders that the law doesn’t apply to them. And, it’s evident at the state, at the county and right here in City Hall. With that comes the belief that those without friends in high places are getting every bit of the law, plus some bits they don’t want. And, based on the favors, the inconsistencies in enforcement and penalties, it’s getting harder and harder to disagree with them.
This case is particularly pertinent today as elected officials wonder why there is less activism, participation, community engagement, community trusting, voter participation and overall interest in civic affairs.
This case stands as a vivid reminder of what is perceived by the general public that public officials' self interest always trumps the public interest.I am less concerned that Fabian Nunez (photo) made every effort, even if perceived to be misguided, to assist or mitigate his son's criminal behavior. The real culprits are the enablers who were in a position to protect the public's interest and provide safeguards by merely saying "NO". They failed miserably and their decisions granted an undeserved entitlement. They now owe the general public, but more specifically and importantly, they owe the Santos family and the others victimized by this tragedy a grand apology.
It is so unfortunate to start the new year with such a reminder as to why the City of Los Angeles and the State of California rank among the most corrupt cities and states in the United States of America.
(Bernard Parks is Los Angeles Councilman for the 8th Council District. He is also former Los Angeles Police Chief. He can be reached at [email protected])
-cw
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