LA teen, young woman wrongfully convicted of East Hollywood murder released 17 years later

Monday, December 23, 2024 5:10PM PT
LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Charlotte Pleytez and Lombardo Palacios did not know each other in 2007 when he was 15 and she was 20. Their paths would cross that year when they were both accused and later wrongfully convicted of an East Hollywood murder.

"A sentence of 50 years to life for something I had absolutely nothing to do with," said Pleytez.

Over the last several years, a law student, several attorneys, a private investigator and the L.A. District Attorney's Office worked to review the case and advocate for their release. A court filing states the D.A.'s Conviction Integrity Unit's investigation "identified the true perpetrators of the shooting."

"Both individuals spent 6,415 days each in prison for a crime they did not commit," said attorney Nicolas Tomas.

Tomas began digging into the case as a then law student at Loyola Law School and took it to the D.A.'s office. In October, then District Attorney George Gascón called for the exoneration and release of Pleytez and Palacios.



While the convictions relied on witness accounts, an interrogation of Palacios was pivotal, said Tomas, explaining the then 15-year-old was questioned for hours, despite stating his innocence around 200 times. At one point, he could be heard crying out to God for help.

"I told him that I was feeling very alone, very alone, abused, because it was just a bunch of bullying," recalled Palacios.

In an unusual move to speed up their release, District Attorney Nathan Hochman had investigators from his office pick up Palacios and Pleytez from prison to appear in court Friday afternoon. In court, Hochman called for their convictions to be vacated and for their immediate release.

Palacios and Pleytez shared tearful embraces with their mothers and loved ones.

"I feel like I was born all over again," said Palacios.



"I owe a heartfelt apology to you, Mr. Palacios, and to you, Ms. Pleytez for what you've gone through," said Hochman at a Monday news conference. "We made a determination that there is no evidence showing that the investigating officers, the responding officers, or the prosecutors involved in this case back in 2009 did anything inappropriate, did anything illegal or did anything unethical, based on the facts that they had at that time, and the law that was in place at that time, " said Hochman, adding, "We will certainly learn from that situation, so we do our best never to repeat it."

A new law went into effect this year that bars law enforcement officers from employing threats, physical harm, deception, or psychologically manipulative interrogation tactic during the interrogation of a minor. Los Angeles police detectives used some of those tactics in Palacios' interrogation.

"We respect the legal process and therefore have no additional information to share," the Los Angeles Police Department told Eyewitness News regarding the case.

Palacios and Pleytez have an upcoming court date in the matter of their factual innocence, a proceeding that would finalize their exonerations. They thanked their families, those who advocated on their behalf and uplifted others who may be in a similar situation.

"There are people deserving of exonerations out there, and I hope they will someday be able to stand here and express their thanks, just like I am," said Pleytez. "Please don't forget about them."



According to the National Registry of exonerations, there have been 134 in Los Angeles County since 1989, and about 10% involved false confessions.

The LADA's office told Eyewitness News that since former D.A. George Gascón relaunched the Conviction Integrity Unit around four years ago, there were more than 150 cases in different stages of review. Fourteen people were exonerated under Gascón and five were resentenced through the unit.

"District Attorney Nathan Hochman is steadfast in his commitment to ensure justice is not only pursued but also achieved. The Conviction Review Unit stands as a testament to that commitment. The D.A. is proud of the work being done by the dedicated team in the CRU. His office will never shy away from righting past wrongs," the office told Eyewitness News.

"I'm glad that my prayers were finally heard from God. At one point, I thought there was no God," said Palacios.

Pleytez gave birth to her daughter while in prison.



"I got to see her twice for maybe 10 minutes each time before they took her from me," said Pleytez.

Her daughter turned 17 today.
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