Legal Question in Criminal Law in California

A victim certainly can advise the prosecutor they don't want charges prosecuted, but that does not control the case. Such requests are usually not granted, because the victim is usually being pressured [like you] or threatened to make them. Prosecutors and judges are tired of seeing tearful pleas for release of the criminal turn into further assaulted, battered and murdered victims some time later. Instead, the prosecutor will subpoena the witness to court if necessary to compel them to testify and convict the criminal. Once charges are brought for 'good cause' based upon the crime and evidence, it is the prosecutor's case, not the victim's. The victim can always choose to testify at the sentencing hearing of the criminal, if convicted, and request 'mercy'. You might tell the criminal and family that is what you will do, at most. It may be the right thing in this case, compared to requesting he go unpunished for the crime. Leave it to the criminal's lawyer to make the prosecutor prove his case if he can.