The attorney representing Erik and Lyle Menendez strongly criticized the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s decision to retract a recommendation for reducing their prison sentences, labeling it as a “grandstanding” move that serves to “re-traumatize” the family. District Attorney Nathan Hochman reversed the recommendation for resentencing the brothers, who are currently serving life in prison without parole for the 1989 murders of their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez. Hochman stated that he would only reconsider the recommendation if the brothers apologize for what he referred to as a series of falsehoods.
Hochman explained his stance, saying that if the brothers were to genuinely and unambiguously admit, after 30 years, that they had lied about their defense and confess to the cold-blooded murder of their parents, then that new information should be considered by the court. The DA’s decision to withdraw the recommendation highlighted 16 alleged falsehoods by the brothers, including their claim that they acted in self-defense because their parents were threatening them.
Mark Geragos, the brothers’ attorney, expressed that he had anticipated this decision and remarked that it was evident the DA had already made up his mind. Geragos mentioned that 22 family members had urged the DA’s office to cease causing further distress to them. He also pointed out that there were no living victims who supported the DA’s actions and accused him of continually deceiving the family.
Family members who stand by the brothers criticized the DA for ignoring the abuse Erik and Lyle had faced, their fear for their lives, and the remorse they had shown for their deeds. When asked about the alleged lies, Geragos dismissed them as a show of theatrics by the DA, highlighting that the issues mentioned had already been addressed during the brothers’ previous trials.
The Menendez brothers were tried twice in the 1990s for the murder of their parents but faced differing outcomes. The first trial ended in a mistrial due to a hung jury, while they were convicted of first-degree murder in the second trial. Geragos refuted Hochman’s assertion that the brothers claimed self-defense, clarifying that they had argued for imperfect self-defense, a claim rejected by the jurors in both trials.
Despite the withdrawal of the resentencing recommendation, a judge will make the final decision during a resentencing hearing scheduled for March 20 and 21 in Los Angeles Superior Court.
At a news conference in Los Angeles on Monday, discussions centered around the case of Erik and Lyle Menendez. Resentencing is one of the avenues the brothers are pursuing to secure their release from prison. When asked if seeking clemency from the governor’s office is the most viable option for their release, attorney Geragos expressed doubt. He emphasized that they are also pursuing a habeas corpus petition and have a resentencing scheduled for the 20th and 21st. Governor Gavin Newsom recently requested the parole board to evaluate the potential risk posed by the brothers if they were to be granted clemency.
