When Esteban Nuñez, the 19-year-old son of former California Assembly Speaker Fabian Nuñez, was arrested last year on murder charges, several of his father's influential friends signed letters of support for the young man, according to voiceofsandiego.org.
Esteban Nunez is accused of homicide and other crimes in the stabbing death of a local college student.
Nunez and three friends were involved in the deadly confrontation last October near the San Diego State University campus. Luis Santos, 22, was killed, and two other men were stabbed in the confrontation.
Attorneys for Nunez and the other defendants have said their clients acted in self-defense.
Among those writing letters of support for Esteban were Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, who once served as Fabian’s best man, according to reporter Will Carless.
"I have had the opportunity to watch him (Esteban) grow and develop into a decent and responsible young man," wrote Villaraigosa.
Other letters come from labor union reps, a state Assemblyman, a Pomona City Council Member and even a political consultant. Some describe the character of Esteban’s parents. Others ask for consideration in the issue of bail.
Read more about the letters and why defense attorneys use this tactic, in the full article on voiceofsandiego.org.
