In this episode of The Hard Middle, we explore one of the most challenging aspects of criminal justice: determining appropriate sentences for those who commit crimes. Through the lens of the Michelle Avan murder case, we examine how prosecutors balance accountability with fairness.

Michelle Avan was a prominent Bank of America executive and beloved community leader who was brutally murdered by her ex-boyfriend in August 2021. Host Josh Rubenstein sits down with Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman, John McKinney, Director of Specialized Prosecutions, and prosecutor Cindy Wallace to discuss how they approached this devastating case and the complex decision-making process behind seeking life without parole.

The episode reveals the deeply personal nature of these decisions, including District Attorney Nathan Hochman's policy on the death penalty and the emotionally draining meetings with victims' families.

On a sunny Tuesday on December 3rd 2024, Nathan Hochman was sworn in as Los Angeles County's 44th District Attorney, promising to restore trust and hold criminals accountable. But just weeks later, one of his first major actions wasn't locking someone up—it was celebrating their freedom.

In this premiere episode, we are introduced to DA Hochman and his "hard middle" approach to justice: an approach that doesn't rely on politics or blame, but puts victims at the center of every decision. From the exoneration of two people who spent 17 years wrongfully imprisoned, to tackling LA's biggest public safety challenges, discover what it means to pursue justice in America's largest local prosecutor's office.

Welcome to The Hard Middle—where justice isn't about left or right, it's about getting it right.