Los Angeles County’s chief prosecutor announced on Monday that he had reversed course on a recommendation to reduce the prison sentences of Erik and Lyle Menendez. The Menendez brothers are currently serving life without the possibility of parole for the 1989 murders of their parents. District Attorney Nathan Hochman cited “legitimate reasons” for withdrawing the recommendation, noting that the brothers have not fully acknowledged the lies they have told about the murders, including claiming self-defense.
Hochman stated that the Menendez brothers, who are now 54 and 57 years old and have spent 35 years in prison, have not shown full insight or taken complete responsibility for their crimes, failing to meet the standards for resentencing. Hochman indicated that if the brothers were to be transparent and accept full responsibility for their actions, his office would reconsider their request for resentencing. The request is scheduled to be reviewed by Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Michael Jesic in a two-day hearing later this month.
Relatives of the Menendez brothers who advocate for their release criticized Hochman for his decision, accusing him of disregarding the brothers’ past trauma and not recognizing their efforts towards rehabilitation. The brothers were convicted of murdering their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez, in Beverly Hills in 1989. Despite claiming they had been abused and acted in self-defense, prosecutors argued that the killings were financially motivated and premeditated.
This recent development comes after Hochman previously opposed a separate motion by the Menendez brothers to challenge their convictions based on new evidence. The brothers have also pursued clemency as a means to secure their release. California Governor Gavin Newsom has directed the parole board to assess the risk the brothers might pose to public safety if granted parole.
Former District Attorney George Gascón had advocated for reducing the Menendez brothers’ life sentences to 50 years to life, making them eligible for parole sooner. Gascón acknowledged the severity of the murders but highlighted the brothers’ positive behavior while incarcerated, such as assisting fellow inmates and participating in educational programs. Despite these efforts, the brothers’ fate remains uncertain as legal proceedings continue.
The attorney stated that the primary motive of the brothers was “pure greed” and that he does not support early release. One of their relatives, Milton Anderson, passed away on March 3. The attorney, Hochman, believes that the previous recommendation for resentencing was based on an incomplete review of the brothers’ criminal activities and their level of responsibility for them. Aside from claiming self-defense, the brothers have not admitted to attempting to manipulate testimony from a friend and a girlfriend to strengthen their defense during the trial. They have also not taken responsibility for other deceitful actions related to the murders, such as organizing the crime scene to resemble a mafia-style hit. Hochman detailed that Jose and Kitty Menendez were shot in the knees, with Jose being shot in the back of the head and Lyle shooting his mother in the face after reloading his shotgun. Hochman drew a comparison between his resentencing decision and the parole denial for Sirhan Sirhan, the individual who assassinated Robert F. Kennedy in 1968. Initially deemed suitable for parole, Sirhan had his parole revoked after Governor Newsom stated that Sirhan had not demonstrated the necessary accountability and insight for a safe release back into society.
