"A probation officer who was caught on video bending a teen in half. A Torrance police officer who shot a man in the back as he walked away from a crime scene. Seven California Highway Patrol officers who piled atop a man screaming "I can't breathe" as he died following a drunk driving stop. All three cases had similar outcomes: charges dropped or reduced to no time behind bars after a plea deal."
"After a year in office, a pattern has emerged for L.A. County Dist. Atty. Nathan Hochman, who found himself saddled with a number of misconduct and abuse cases against police officers filed by his predecessor, George Gascón. During his 2024 campaign, Hochman often chastised Gascón for filing cases he claimed wouldn't hold up before a jury - while also promising to continue bringing prosecutions against police when warranted."
"Those outcomes have infuriated the loved ones of victims of police violence, local activists and even former prosecutors, who say Hochman's backslide on the issue was predictable after he received millions in campaign contributions from police unions. Greg Apt, a former public defender who served under Gascón as second-in-command of the unit that prosecutes police cases, said he quit last year out of frustration with the new leadership."
Multiple high-profile California cases involving alleged police abuse resulted in charges dropped or reduced to no jail time after plea deals. L.A. County District Attorney Nathan Hochman, who inherited many police misconduct cases from predecessor George Gascón, has downgraded, dismissed or failed to secure convictions in several prosecutions. Families of victims, activists and former prosecutors have protested, alleging Hochman’s actions reflect leniency influenced by millions in campaign contributions from police unions. Greg Apt, a former deputy prosecutor, resigned citing concerns about reduced oversight of alleged police wrongdoing. Hochman defended his record, saying campaign donations represented bipartisan support.
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