Supervisors Announce Support for Block's Commutation Bill

The San Diego County Board of Supervisors voted to support legislation that would require the governor to provide 30 days notice before he shortens a sentence for a convicted criminal at its Tuesday meeting.

The bill—which is authored by Assemblymen Marty Block, D-Lemon Grove and Nathan Fletcher, R-Poway—would require the governor to give the relevant district attorney 30 days notice about any commutation and have the district attorney notify the family of the victim. Prosecutors, victims and their families would then have a chance to respond against or in favor of a change to the sentence.

The bill was introduced in response to ex-Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger reducing by more than half a sentence for the son of a former Assembly Speaker convicted in a fatal stabbing at San Diego State University on his last day in office. Schwarzenegger cut Esteban Nunez's sentence from 16 years to seven years, without notifying the parents of the victim, 22-year-old Luis Santos. Nunez is the son of former Assemblyman Fabian Nunez, who was Assembly Speaker for part of Schwarzenegger's term.

Supervisor Pam Slater Price called Schwarzenegger's commutation "a reckless act" and that it "reeked of political favoritism."

Assembly Bill 648 would also require the governor to deliver a written report, including the prisoner's application for commutation, to the Legislature and make those documents part of the public record.

Esteban Nunez pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and assault with a deadly weapon in connection with a drunken knife-fight near San Diego State University. Santos' parents said they did not know about the commutation until a reporter called for comment.

In other board business, the supervisors voted to begin a program that will allow more than 21,000 county residents to use food stamps to pay for healthy restaurant meals. Through the Restaurant Meals Program, seniors, disabled and homeless people will be able to use their CalFresh benefits at some local eateries that will offer low-cost healthy menu options.

City News Service contributed to this report.