Los Angeles D.A. Opposes Menendez Brothers’ Bid for New Trial, Citing ‘Lies and Deceit’

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On Friday, District Attorney of Los Angeles, Nathan Hochman, rejected the request for a retrial by the Menendez brothers (Lyle and Erik), stating that they have a pattern of telling lies, being dishonest, and inventing tales.

At a news conference, Hochman stated that fresh claims of sexual abuse should not influence the verdicts for murder against the brothers, who were convicted in 1989 of killing their parents, Jose and Kitty. Additionally, he pointed out that the brothers provided inconsistent accounts regarding the murders and coerced their friends to support them by testifying untruthfully in court.

He determined that the recent assertions fall within a “series of falsehoods” that the brothers have been sharing for the past few decades.

The Menendez brothers are currently incarcerated with no chance of parole and serving life sentences. In October, when the case was once again under public scrutiny, District Attorney George Gascón announced his intention to petition a court to reduce their sentences to 50 years to life, thus making them eligible for parole.

Hochman, who took over from Gascón in December, mentioned on Friday that he’s yet to make a final decision regarding this matter, and he expects to disclose the stance of the office within approximately two and a half weeks.

In the year 2023, as a dedicated cinema enthusiast, I found myself eagerly following the legal proceedings of the brothers’ case. Their lawyers submitted a habeas corpus petition, claiming that recently discovered evidence demanded a retrial. This fresh evidence encompassed an alleged letter from Erik Menendez to his cousin Andy Cano, dated 1988, expressing concerns about his father’s abusive behavior, and a sworn statement from Roy Rosselló, a member of the popular band Menudo, who asserted that Jose Menendez had assaulted him in the 1980s.

During a detailed talk on Friday afternoon, Hochman pointed out that the letter was never brought up during either of the brothers’ two trials, despite both Erik Menendez and Andy Cano having testified and presumably being aware of its existence. Additionally, he contended that the Roselló allegation had no bearing on the brothers’ defense claim of “imperfect self-defense,” since they were not privy to this claim at the time of the murders.

Discussions surrounding the sexual abuse of boys have evolved significantly since the court cases, as suggested by the family and allies of the two brothers. In early January, attorney Hochman convened a meeting with the Menendez family to listen to their request for the brothers’ freedom.

As a fervent supporter, I found myself disappointed when Gascón chose not to respond to the brothers’ request for habeas corpus during his tenure. Instead, he opted for an alternative approach, concluding that their rehabilitation was complete enough to merit a reduced sentence, thereby making them eligible for parole.

During a news conference, Hochman stated that his team is still considering the matter of rehabilitation. Yet, in December, he dismissed Nancy Theberge and Brock Lunsford, who previously managed the case under Gascón’s administration. Since then, these lawyers have submitted complaints against the county, contending they were illegally reassigned because of their conviction that the brothers were entitled to a new sentencing based on honest convictions.

On March 20-21, Judge Michael V. Jesic will preside over a hearing concerning the request for resentencing. The legal team defending the Menendez brothers, headed by Mark Geragos, plans to petition the court to lessen the brothers’ sentences, regardless of the District Attorney’s stance on the matter.

Lyle and Eric Menendez have been imprisoned for thirty-five years now. Back in 1996, they were found guilty of first-degree murder and given a sentence of life without parole, instead of the death penalty, following a jury’s decision. They had no more chances to appeal their case when, in 2005, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed their convictions.

In September, Netflix debuted a Ryan Murphy documentary series titled “Monsters: The Tale of Lyle and Erik Menendez,” which garnered media coverage and requests for Gascón to address the habeas petition. Eventually, Gascón determined that the brothers had fulfilled their obligation to society.

The brothers have additionally pleaded for leniency from Governor Gavin Newsom, who has expressed his intention to follow the lead of Hochman in this matter.

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2025-02-22 01:17