Jim McManis and a team of McManis Faulkner lawyers represented Tony LoBue and Marie LoBue, whose sister Rosellina was brutally murdered by Eric Chatman in 1987.
Chatman received the death penalty for the crime, but three years ago, San Jose DA Jeff Rosen asked a judge to “reduce” Chatman’s death sentence. He has since been serving a life sentence without parole.
Chatman filed two petitions claiming various alleged violations in an effort to reduce his sentence even further. Prosecutors tried to settle Chatman’s appeal with an agreement that would have made him eligible for parole.
On Dec. 5, Santa Clara County Judge Eric Geffon rejected the proposed settlement, stating that approving the agreement exceeded his judicial authority.
After the hearing, McManis said the judge “listened very carefully, heard all the parties and I think made the correct decision.”
To view coverage of the matter, see below:
- NBC Bay Area, Dec. 4 – Convicted murderer in San Jose could be released on parole (segment begins at 1:46)
- KTVU News, Dec. 5 – The 10 o’ Clock News (segment begins at 31:55)
- Hoodline, Dec. 5 – San Jose Killer’s Fate Back in Play as Grieving Family Rips DA’s Push
- NBC Bay Area, Dec. 5 – Judge denies sentence reduction for South Bay convicted killer
- The Mercury News, Dec. 6 – Judge rejects further sentence reduction for San Jose killer formerly on death row
- East Bay Times, Dec. 6 – Judge rejects further sentence reduction for San Jose killer formerly on death row