Los Angeles DA To Permit Pursuit of Death Penalty in Some Cases

Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman will now allow prosecutors to seek capital punishment in severe murder cases, a significant change from former DA George Gascón’s policies despite Governor Newsom’s ongoing moratorium.

Key Takeaways

Hochman has reversed the prior ban on capital punishment, asserting a need for the death penalty in extreme cases.
California’s death penalty remains legal despite Governor Newsom’s execution moratorium.
The policy involves a meticulous review process with inputs from victims’ families considered.
The decision serves as fulfillment of a campaign promise by Hochman.
Hochman emphasizes justice and fairness in choosing when to pursue the death penalty.

Reversal of Previous Administration’s Policy

Nathan Hochman, Los Angeles County District Attorney, announced a significant policy shift, reintroducing the death penalty for certain murder cases with special circumstances. This decision reverses the previous administration’s outright ban implemented by George Gascón, who advocated resentencing death row inmates to life without parole across the board. Hochman argues that Gascón’s policy was overly extreme. His decision comes amidst a contentious statewide debate on the morality and efficacy of capital punishment.

Despite a moratorium on executions imposed by Governor Newsom in 2019 and plans to close down death row, the death penalty remains a legal punishment in California. Hochman plans to pursue it only for particularly heinous crimes after a thorough review process, considering both the defense’s input and the perspectives of victims’ families. Newsom’s moratorium prevents executions from being carried out against those who have received death sentences, although it is unclear whether this moratorium will hold after Newsom leaves office in 2027.

D.A. Hochman officially brings death penalty back to Los Angeles https://t.co/hlUuuirvsx

— Los Angeles Times (@latimes) March 25, 2025

The Legal and Social Landscape

California has navigated a complicated relationship with the death penalty over the decades. Newsom’s suspension halts all executions and includes plans to dismantle the lethal injection protocol at San Quentin. Currently, there are over five hundred individuals on death row in California. Hochman stresses that the reinstatement of the death penalty isn’t a blanket policy but a measure focusing on justice for the most serious offenses.

Former DA George Gascón faced controversy for his progressive approaches, with opponents arguing that it compromised public safety. Newsom’s moratorium has also faced backlash, particularly from conservative quarters who view the suspension as inadequate for addressing severe crimes.

Impact on the Justice System

The reinstatement raises questions about the balance between progressive reform and traditional punitive measures in California’s justice system. Hochman’s policy focuses on case-by-case evaluation, an approach praised by some yet critiqued by organizations like the ACLU. Additionally, State Assemblyman Tom Lackey voices strong support for Hochman’s policies, criticizing Newsom’s moratorium as a severe misstep.

As the legal framework in California evolves, Hochman’s decision stands as a landmark policy responding to calls for a return to stricter penal measures. The broader debate over capital punishment continues, shaping the future of California’s approach to justice.