L.A. Prosecutors Say They Were Demoted by D.A. for Backing Menendez Brothers’ Release

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On Monday, two district attorneys asserted that they encountered reprisals from the newly-elected “hardline on crime” District Attorney Nathan Hochman, as they had previously advocated for leniency in sentencing for the Menendez brothers (Lyle and Erik).

In October last year, Nancy Theberge and Brock Lunsford, two prosecutors, prepared a detailed petition spanning 57 pages, suggesting that the convicted brothers had undergone rehabilitation. They also attended a press conference on October 24 (as depicted in the image above), during which George Gascón, the District Attorney at the time, announced his intention to request a court to reconsider the sentences of the brothers, who are currently serving life imprisonment without parole for their involvement in the murders of their parents in 1989.

Within a fortnight, Hochman emerged victorious over Gascón in the election. Shortly after assuming office in December, Theberge was unwillingly moved to the position of Alternate Public Defender, while Lunsford was relegated to handling calendars in Norwalk.

In less than two weeks’ time, Hochman triumphed over Gascón in the election. Following his inauguration in December, Theberge found herself transferred against her wishes to the Alternate Public Defender’s office, while Lunsford was downgraded to handling schedules in Norwalk.

On Monday, the prosecutors asserted in their filed notices that their professional standing and public image have suffered due to the unjust transfers. Each of them is demanding compensation of at least $5.25 million as part of these claims, which usually serve as a precursor to initiating a lawsuit.

The D.A.’s office declined to comment.

The Menendez case is still undecided, as a rescheduling hearing was originally set for last week but has been moved to March 20th due to disturbances from the L.A. fires. Hochman – who was highly critical of Gascón during the campaign – has yet to comment on whether he will maintain his support for the resentencing petition.

Advocates for the siblings claim they were wrongfully imprisoned due to childhood sexual abuse allegations, and they are calling for their release from prison. The Netflix show “Monsters,” which delved into their lives and trial, reignited interest in this decades-old case last September, leading Gascón to file a petition with the court in his final days as office holder.

Should my wish be granted, their resentencing would result in terms of 50 years to life, thereby making them instantly eligible for parole consideration. From that point onwards, they’d need to successfully argue before a parole board, aiming to secure their release.

The Menendez family expressed “deep gratitude” to Theberge and Lunsford in a statement on Monday.

The choice to take these specific prosecutors off the case, it seemed, confirmed our concerns – that politics could potentially overshadow justice,” the family stated. “District Attorney Hochman ran on a pledge to exclude politics from prosecutorial decisions and to meticulously evaluate each case based on its unique aspects and facts. We remain optimistic that he will uphold this vow as he ponders over his recommendation for Erik and Lyle’s re-sentencing.

Lunsford and Theberge asserted that they suffered demotions due to expressing support for Gascón. They contend that it’s unfair for them to face professional consequences based on their political beliefs and their understanding of the resentencing law, which they argue necessitates the brothers’ re-sentencing.

Throughout his four-year term, Gascón encountered multiple accusations of transfer due to disagreements with his policies, which were made by fellow prosecutors.

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2025-02-04 03:16