Nathan Hochman, the newly elected Los Angeles County District Attorney, has pledged to carefully review the high-profile case of the Menendez brothers before making any decisions about their potential resentencing.
Last month, outgoing DA George Gascón unexpectedly filed a motion to resentence Erik and Lyle Menendez for the 1989 murders of their parents, José and Kitty Menendez. Gascón cited new evidence of abuse, the brothers’ rehabilitation, and support from most of their family members as reasons they should be eligible for parole.
But Hochman, who defeated Gascón in Tuesday’s election, says he will need time to thoroughly examine the case before determining his next steps.
“Before I can make any decision about the Menendez brothers’ case, I will need to become thoroughly familiar with the relevant facts, the evidence, and the law,” Hochman said in a statement. “If for some reason I need additional time, I will ask the court for that.”
The hearing to consider Gascón’s resentencing request is currently scheduled for December 11—just nine days after Hochman is set to take office on December 2. In an interview, Hochman told CNN he would move as “expeditiously as possible” to review the case but emphasized the need for a careful, thorough process.
“If I ask for a delay, it won’t be a delay for delay’s sake because I think the Menendez brothers, the victims, family members, and the public deserve to have a decision done as soon as it can be done in a thorough manner,” Hochman said.
Since the brothers’ arrest in 1990 for the brutal murders of their wealthy parents in their Beverly Hills mansion, the Menendez case has captivated the public for over 35 years. At their trials, Erik and Lyle argued they acted in self-defense after enduring years of physical and sexual abuse by their father, a successful music executive.
In 1996, the court found the brothers guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced them to life in prison without the possibility of parole. But Gascón’s recent motion suggests the case may be reentering the spotlight.
“I believe that they have paid their debt to society, and the system provides a vehicle for their case to be reviewed by a parole board, and if the board concurs with my assessment, they will be released accordingly,” Gascón said at an October news conference.
Gascón has also written letters to Governor Gavin Newsom supporting clemency for the brothers, which could lead to their immediate release. Newsom’s office has not commented on the request, stating clemency applications are confidential.
The Menendez case has garnered renewed attention in recent months following the release of several high-profile projects. Netflix aired a documentary on the case last month, and a new anthology series, “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story,” debuted in September.
Now, as Hochman prepares to take the helm of the LA District Attorney’s office, the future of the Menendez brothers remains uncertain. While Gascón argued for a reconsideration of their sentences, Hochman has made it clear that he will not hasten his decision.
“One way or another, the Menendezes, like every defendant, deserve a decision,” Hochman said. “I will do the hard work to thoroughly research the facts and the law to make an appropriate decision.”