Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman has formally opposed the resentencing of Lyle and Erik Menendez, a decision that blocks a potential path to their release. The move marks a sharp departure from his predecessor, George Gascón, who had pushed to reduce their sentences to 50 years to life, making them immediately eligible for parole.
Lyle and Erik Menendez were convicted in 1996 for the 1989 murders of their parents, entertainment executive José Menendez and his wife, Kitty Menendez. The brothers, now in their 50s, claimed the killings were an act of self-defense after years of physical and sexual abuse, an assertion Hochman dismissed as a “fabricated” story. “They have not shown full insight into their crimes,” Hochman said at a press conference. He emphasized that the brothers’ shifting narratives—first blaming a mafia hit before admitting guilt—showed a pattern of deception.
Hochman’s opposition rescinds a motion filed by Gascón, who lost re-election last year. Gascón, known for his progressive stance on criminal justice reform, argued that the brothers had been rehabilitated, citing their advanced education and leadership roles in prison programs. However, Hochman countered that their initial cover-up and continued insistence on a self-defense narrative disqualified them from resentencing.
A History of Deception and a High-Profile Confession
One of the prosecution’s strongest arguments against resentencing stems from the brothers’ initial response to their parents’ deaths. After the killings, they staged an elaborate alibi, even going on extravagant shopping sprees with their inheritance before being arrested. Their guilt was ultimately confirmed when Erik confessed to his therapist. The recorded sessions, initially protected under doctor-patient privilege, were later handed over to law enforcement and used against them in court.
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Hochman has drawn parallels between the Menendez case and that of Sirhan Sirhan, the assassin of Senator Robert F. Kennedy, who was denied parole despite decades of good behavior in prison. “Sirhan had letters of support and was deemed a low-risk inmate,” Hochman said. “Yet Governor Gavin Newsom denied his parole because he still posed a threat to public safety. The Menendez brothers fall short for the same reasons.”
Family Divided Over Resentencing Debate
The bid for resentencing has split the Menendez family. Many relatives, including cousin Tamara Goodell, have actively lobbied for the brothers’ release, arguing they have transformed since their conviction. Goodell filed a complaint against Hochman, accusing him of a “hostile, dismissive, and patronizing” tone toward family members advocating for resentencing. In contrast, their late mother’s brother, Milton Andersen, has publicly opposed any efforts to free them. “These were cold-blooded killings,” his attorney Kathy Cady said. “The murders shattered our family and left a trail of grief that has persisted for decades.”
The Justice for Erik and Lyle Coalition, a group advocating for the brothers’ release, rejected Hochman’s assertion that they lack accountability. “Let’s be clear: Erik and Lyle are not the same young boys they were more than 30 years ago,” the coalition stated. “They have apologized to us and have demonstrated their atonement through actions that have improved countless lives.”
Other Paths to Freedom Remain Open
Despite Hochman’s stance, the brothers are pursuing two alternative avenues for release. They have requested a new trial, though Hochman has vowed to oppose it. They have also submitted a clemency plea to Governor Gavin Newsom, who has tasked the state parole board with assessing whether the Menendez brothers pose a risk to public safety.
Newsom has yet to comment on Hochman’s decision but recently proposed a new parole board review process that could lead to shorter prison sentences for some inmates. Whether this initiative will impact the Menendez brothers’ fate remains uncertain. Meanwhile, a judge will formally review the resentencing request in a hearing scheduled for March 20-21.
For now, Hochman has made it clear that unless the brothers fully admit to fabricating their self-defense claim, their chances of release remain slim. “They have lied to everyone for the last 30 years,” he said. “Until they come clean, they do not deserve a second chance.”