Family Seeks To Overturn Former Gov. Schwarzenegger's Commutation

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — A Sacramento County judge will hear arguments over whether former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger violated California law when he reduced the prison sentence for the son of a political ally.

San Diego's district attorney and the family of slain 22-year-old Luis Santos say Schwarzenegger violated the voter-approved Marsy's law because he didn't notify the family or district attorney that he was considering a commutation.

Schwarzenegger cut the manslaughter sentence for Esteban Nunez, the son of former Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez, from 16 years to seven years just hours before he left office in January 2011.

The attorney general's office, which is arguing on Schwarzenegger's behalf, will try again to have the case thrown out Friday. It contends that Marsy's law doesn't apply to the governor's power to pardon and grant commutations.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.