LOS ANGELES (AP) — Los Angeles County’s new District Attorney recently met with the family of the Menendez brothers as he evaluates their plea for release, 35 years since their conviction for the murder of their parents. Nathan Hochman, who assumed office in December, disclosed on Friday that he engaged in a “productive session” with the family members who shared their perspectives regarding the potential release of the brothers. The meeting spanned three hours.
Lyle and Erik Menendez were convicted in 1989 for the slaying of Jose and Kitty Menendez and were subsequently handed life sentences without the possibility of parole. Now in their 50s, the brothers initiated their pursuit of freedom in recent years following the emergence of new evidence pertaining to their father’s alleged sexual abuse. Their legal team submitted a habeas corpus petition in May 2023, urging a court to scrutinize the evidence.
The brothers have garnered support from a majority of their extended family, contending that they merit liberation after spending decades incarcerated. Numerous relatives have asserted that given today’s heightened awareness of the repercussions of sexual abuse, the brothers would not have been convicted of first-degree murder and condemned to life imprisonment.
Former District Attorney George Gascon recommended in October 2024 that the brothers be resentenced to a term of 50 years to life, rendering them immediately eligible for parole. Hochman, who was Gascon’s electoral opponent, slammed the move as a “desperate political ploy.” “By releasing it now, Gascon has cast a cloud over the fairness and impartiality of his decision,” Hochman remarked during that period.
A scheduled resentencing hearing for the brothers was postponed by Superior Court Judge Michael Jesic from early December to the end of January to allow for a comprehensive review of the extensive evidence and to afford Hochman an opportunity to contribute his insights to the case. Hochman stated on Friday that he was in the process of scrutinizing thousands of pages of prison records to evaluate the rehabilitation aspect relevant to resentencing. Criteria for demonstrating rehabilitation could encompass refraining from illegal activities while incarcerated, establishing programs that assist fellow inmates, and utilizing the period of incarceration for self-improvement.
During their initial trials, the defense team for the Menendez brothers contended that they had been subjected to sexual abuse at the hands of their father. Prosecutors refuted these claims and accused the brothers of committing the murders for financial gain. In the aftermath of their convictions, the brothers pursued multiple appeals without success.
Presently, Lyle and Erik Menendez are detained at the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego.
