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DA: Arnold's Political Ties Cut Jail Time For Nunez

SACRAMENTO (AP) — San Diego County District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis says she's shocked by Arnold Schwarzenegger's decision to reduce the manslaughter sentence of the son of a political ally just hours before he left office.

Dumanis said Monday that Schwarzenegger's decision diminishes the sense of justice for the victim and inflicts new trauma on the victim's family. She says her office — which prosecuted the case — was never consulted.

Late Sunday, Schwarzenegger reduced the sentence of Esteban Nunez from 16 years to seven years for his role in the stabbing death of Luis Santos in 2008. Less than a three months ago, a judge agreed with prosecutors that the sentence should not be reduced.

Esteban Nunez is the son of former California Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez.

(© Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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