In a heartwarming turn of events, a man and woman who spent over 17 years in prison for a crime they didn’t commit are finally free. Charlotte Pleytez and Lombardo Palacios, wrongfully convicted of a 2007 murder in East Hollywood, walked out of court on Monday with tears of relief and gratitude. Their convictions were vacated, marking what Pleytez described as a “Christmas miracle.”
Speaking at a press conference held at the Hall of Justice in Los Angeles, Pleytez couldn’t hold back her emotions. “I’m so grateful. It’s hard to believe this is real,” she said. “For 17 years, I lived with a life sentence for something I didn’t do. Today, I feel blessed beyond words.”
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman, who played a key role in their release, described the moment as “magical justice.” Last Friday, Superior Court Judge William C. Ryan ordered their immediate release, following new evidence that proved their innocence. Investigators personally brought Pleytez and Palacios from the Central California prisons where they had been held so they could be in court to hear the life-changing decision.
Apologizing to the two for their years of suffering, Hochman said, “What you’ve been through is unimaginable. But now, you’re free, and I believe you’re going to do incredible things.”
Pleytez, now 37, shared how her arrest stole precious moments from her life. “I was two months pregnant when I was arrested. My daughter turned 17 today. She grew up without me, and my mom had to step in as her mom,” she said, holding back tears. “But now, we’re finally together, and I can’t wait to be the mother I always wanted to be.”
Palacios, 33, introduced himself with a bittersweet joke: “I’m the guy who did 17 years in prison.” Smiling through his emotions, he added, “These past few days have been the best of my life. It feels unreal to be free.”
The case dates back to March 28, 2007, when a man named Hector Luis Flores was fatally shot following an argument in a parking lot near Sunset Boulevard in East Hollywood. At the time, investigators relied on eyewitness accounts and circumstantial evidence, which led to the arrests of Pleytez and Palacios. Both were convicted of first-degree murder in 2009 and sentenced to 50 years to life.
Years later, doubts about their guilt came to light. Under Hochman’s predecessor, former District Attorney George Gascón, an investigation revealed flaws in how the case was handled. Palacios, who was just 15 at the time of his arrest, had been coerced into a false confession during an intense interrogation. He was misled into believing there was video evidence against him, even though no such video existed. Pleytez also maintained her innocence throughout.
After years of effort by their legal team, including attorneys from the California Innocence Advocates and the D.A.’s Conviction Review Unit, new evidence finally cleared the pair. In November 2022, their attorneys filed a formal request to re-examine the case. This led to a deeper investigation that ultimately proved Pleytez and Palacios were nowhere near the crime scene.
At Monday’s press conference, Megan Baca from the California Innocence Advocates called the exoneration a long-overdue celebration. “Charlotte and Lombardo can now spend their first Christmas in 17 years at home with their families, where they’ve always belonged,” she said.
Though their convictions were vacated, the fight isn’t over. The district attorney’s office plans to file for a finding of factual innocence, which would officially clear their names. Meanwhile, Hochman assured the public that his office is committed to finding the real perpetrators of the 2007 murder.
Reflecting on their ordeal, Pleytez emphasized the need for change. “I’m grateful for my freedom, but we can’t ignore what went wrong. Mistakes like this shouldn’t happen,” she said.
For now, the focus is on healing and rebuilding their lives. Palacios summed up their shared sentiment perfectly: “I’m the happiest man in the world.”
