Partner James McManis was quoted in The Mercury News after Judge Robert Hawk rescinded the death penalty sentence for felon, Erik Chatman. Chatman sat on death row for nearly 40 years for murdering Rosellina LoBue, stabbing her over 50 times because according to him, “it felt good.” Chatman is now eligible for parole following Judge Hawk’s resentencing.
McManis and his team represented the victim’s family in opposing the judge’s resentencing efforts.
During the court hearing, McManis explained to Judge Hawk there was no reason to rush a decision given upcoming California Supreme Court cases addressing the law regarding the claims made by Chatman’s lawyers, and urged the judge to await the outcome of those proceedings for clear direction. Judge Hawk denied that request.
McManis also pushed back on the judge’s concern about having to retry the case after many years. “He confessed to everything he did,” stated McManis. “I don’t think it would be a very long trial.”
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