Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman announced Friday that his office will oppose a motion by defense attorneys seeking a new trial for Erik and Lyle Menendez.
“The people believe it should be denied,” Hochman stated, referring to the 2023 habeas corpus petition, which challenges the brothers’ murder convictions and life sentences. This motion is separate from their upcoming re-sentencing hearing in March.
At a press conference, Hochman expressed skepticism about newly presented evidence alleging that Erik Menendez was sexually abused by his father. He dismissed it as irrelevant to the case. “To suggest that the years of abuse couldn’t have led to the tragedy in 1989 is not only outrageous but also dangerous,” the Justice for Erik and Lyle Coalition responded, condemning Hochman’s remarks. “Abuse does not exist in a vacuum… To say it played no role in Erik and Lyle’s action is to ignore decades of psychological research.”
Hochman also unveiled a video, “The Anatomy of the Menendez Case,” explaining the legal framework behind the brothers’ trial. His announcement comes just over a month before their re-sentencing hearing on March 20-21 at the Van Nuys Courthouse.
Erik and Lyle Menendez were convicted in 1996 after two trials and have served 35 years in prison for the murders of their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez. Hochman, newly elected as DA, has requested time to review the case before moving forward with re-sentencing.
