>

George Gascón seeks to exonerate 2 men convicted of 2007 East Hollywood murder

Motion filed for conviction review of two men who spent more than a decade in prison for murder

Motion alleges false testimony, Brady violations by the lead detective in the case

The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office, led by District Attorney George Gascón, has filed a motion to exonerate two men who were convicted of a 2007 murder in East Hollywood. The motion, filed on behalf of Javier Hernandez and Pablo Cerda, alleges that the convictions were based on false testimony and Brady violations by the lead detective in the case. Hernandez and Cerda were convicted of first-degree murder in 2011 for the killing of Alfredo Landaverde. The prosecution's case relied heavily on the testimony of then-LAPD Detective Mark Fuhrman, who claimed that Hernandez had confessed to the murder. However, in a sworn declaration filed with the motion, Hernandez recanted his confession, stating that it was coerced by Fuhrman. The motion also alleges that Fuhrman committed Brady violations by failing to disclose exculpatory evidence to the defense, including a witness statement that contradicted Fuhrman's testimony about Hernandez's confession. “This case is a prime example of how misconduct by law enforcement can lead to wrongful convictions,” said Gascón in a statement. “My office is committed to seeking justice for all victims of crime, and that includes those who have been wrongly convicted.” If the motion is granted, Hernandez and Cerda will be entitled to a new trial. They have both been released from prison on bond while the motion is pending. The case is the latest in a series of wrongful convictions that have been overturned in recent years due to misconduct by law enforcement. In 2020, the California Supreme Court overturned the conviction of Juan Catalan, who spent 30 years in prison for a murder he did not commit. The court found that Catalan's conviction was based on false testimony and withheld evidence by the prosecution. The motion to exonerate Hernandez and Cerda is a reminder of the importance of due process and the need for law enforcement to act with integrity. It is also a testament to the commitment of the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office to seeking justice for all victims of crime, including those who have been wrongly convicted.