Topline:
The L.A. County District Attorney’s Office is pursuing the exoneration and release of two people prosecutors have determined were wrongfully convicted of murder nearly two decades ago, saying their case was riddled with red flags.
What happened? In 2007, Hector Flores was shot and killed in his car in East Hollywood. His fiance, who was also wounded, later identified 15-year-old Lombardo Palacios as the shooter, and 20-year-old Charlotte Pleytez as the driver. They were convicted of his murder with a sentence of 50 years to life in prison.
What’s the issue? L.A. County District Attorney George Gascón said his office has presented the case to a judge to have them declared factually innocent, saying the charges were based on inconclusive identifications and a coercive police interrogation of a minor.
What’s next? Gascón expects the judge to agree with the assessment. They’ll return to court on Nov. 1.