DA Nathan Hochman To Let Prosecutors Seek Death Penalty in Some Los Angeles Cases

Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman is planning to allow prosecutors to seek the death penalty in some cases, overturning the ban implemented by his predecessor, George Gascón.

Key Insights

Nathan Hochman is reinstating the ability to pursue the death penalty for certain murder cases with special circumstances.
Former DA George Gascón advocated for life imprisonment in lieu of the death penalty.
The new policy includes a comprehensive review process and input from victims’ families.
Despite this change in policy, California Governor Gavin Newsom’s moratorium on executions remains in place.

Reinstating Capital Punishment

The reinstatement of the death penalty by DA Nathan Hochman marks a significant shift in Los Angeles County’s judicial landscape. This change reverses the policy of former District Attorney George Gascón. Hochman argues that Gascón’s blanket ban was extreme and plans to allow prosecutors the opportunity to pursue capital punishment in cases of particularly heinous crimes. The district attorney’s decision serves to fulfill a campaign promise to take a tougher stance on crime.

Hochman’s approach involves considering the death penalty only in rare, specific instances and requires thorough case evaluations. The intention is to apply the maximum penalty only in instances of egregious criminal behavior, indicative of multiple victims or the murder of a law enforcement officer. Examples suggest mass shootings, such as Sandy Hook and Las Vegas, as potential qualifiers. During this process, input from defense attorneys and families of victims will be carefully considered before proceeding with any capital charges.

D.A. Hochman officially brings death penalty back to Los Angeles https://t.co/hlUuuirvsx pic.twitter.com/isxnR10IqD

— Los Angeles Times (@latimes) March 26, 2025

Contrasts with Predecessor’s Policies

The reinstatement comes as a stark contrast to George Gascón’s policies, which fundamentally opposed the use of the death penalty, citing issues like inherent racial bias and its ineffectiveness as a crime deterrent. Gascón had pushed for commutation of death-row sentences and successfully changed life sentences for several inmates. Hochman criticized Gascón’s approach as overly broad and argued for a system capable of responding appropriately to extreme criminal acts.

The new policy allows the District Attorney’s office to place the death penalty on the table, ensuring that justice remains a viable option for the families affected by the most atrocious crimes. Hochman stressed the importance of a justice system that balances fairness with the need for genuine consequences.

California’s Broader Context

California’s broader context complicates this reinstatement. Governor Gavin Newsom issued a moratorium on executions in 2019, halting them entirely and planning the closure of death row facilities at San Quentin. Under the new policy, prosecutors will be able to pursue the death penalty in some cases, but executions won’t be carried out unless a new leader lifts the moratorium after Newsom leaves office in 2027

. Key legislative actions, such as Proposition 66, continue to shape California’s approach, mandating changes to death row inmate management. Advocacy groups like the ACLU criticize the death penalty, aligning with Gascón’s previous stance that abolishing the death penalty is crucial to avoid irreversible injustices.

The debate over the death penalty in California remains intense, with Hochman’s policy shift setting the stage for ongoing judicial and societal discussions. The direction taken by Los Angeles County promises to continue stirring discussion over the balance between justice and reform in the criminal justice system.