Home / Crime and Justice / Teen's Killer Fights Conviction, Reignites Family Pain
Teen's Killer Fights Conviction, Reignites Family Pain
26 Jul
Summary
- Victim's family fights killer's attempts to overturn murder conviction.
- New laws allow convicted murderers to seek reduced sentences.
- Justice for Justine's Law educates teens on dating violence.
The Vanderschoot family continues their difficult fight for justice after their daughter Justine's murder in 2003. Her convicted killer, Brandon Fernandez, is seeking to overturn his murder conviction under a new California law enacted in 2018. This legal challenge, initiated in 2020, requires an evidentiary hearing to re-examine his role.
Prosecutors argued that Fernandez was a key participant in the murder plot with Danny Bezemer, including the cover-up. Despite inconsistencies in testimonies from both Bezemer and Fernandez, a judge denied Fernandez's motion in August 2024, upholding his conviction. However, an appellate court reversed this decision in December 2025, mandating a new hearing.
Justine's parents, Don and Lynnette Vanderschoot, express that these legal proceedings re-open their wounds and question the fairness of laws that allow convicted murderers to relitigate their cases. They remain dedicated to advocating for victims' rights and preventing future tragedies. In 2023, they supported the passage of "Justine's Law," which mandates teen dating violence prevention education in California high schools.
