Hochman Reinstates Death Penalty in L.A.

Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman has reinstated the death penalty as an option for certain murder cases, reversing the policy of his predecessor, George Gascón, who had banned its use. Hochman's decision fulfills a key campaign promise and marks a significant policy shift, allowing prosecutors to seek capital punishment in 'exceedingly rare cases' such as school shootings, domestic terror attacks, or the killing of police officers. Despite a state moratorium on executions imposed by Governor Gavin Newsom in 2019, Hochman emphasized that as long as the death penalty is legal in California, his office will consider it for the most egregious crimes. The new policy involves a thorough review process by a special committee, taking into account mitigating factors and survivors' views before deciding on pursuing the death penalty. Gascón's previous stance against the death penalty was part of broader criminal justice reforms that came under criticism for being too lenient on crime.