Menendez Brothers Resentencing Hearing Scheduled for May 13–14
The hearing held on May 9 at a Van Nuys courthouse aimed to address the potential removal of Hochman, which he opposed.
In a surprising development, the attorney representing Erik and Lyle Menendez has retracted their request to remove Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman. A Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge has scheduled their resentencing hearings for the upcoming week.
The initial resentencing hearing set for April 17 was postponed after Hochman requested that the parties examine a specific aspect of a comprehensive risk assessment that is anticipated to be completed by the parole board by June 13, when a clemency hearing is planned.
The aspect shared with the parties for review 60 days prior to the June clemency hearing is open to amendments.
At the time of publication, the parole board had not responded to requests for comment.
The hearing on May 9 aimed to discuss Hochman’s removal, which he resisted.
The motion to recuse Hochman was withdrawn after the defense team for the Menendez brothers discovered that Hochman had engaged a crisis PR firm following a motion put forth by Attorney General Rob Bonta, who supported Hochman.
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“One of the reasons for hiring them is to get advice on interacting with family members and managing the situation with Erik and Lyle,” stated attorney Bryan Freedman outside the courtroom on May 9. “This was not a matter addressed in court today as the motion to recuse was withdrawn.”
Freedman spoke on behalf of the Menendez brothers’ extended family. Mark Geragos is their defense attorney.
When Hochman urged the court to deny the resentencing, Judge Michael Jesic replied, “I don’t see anything new,” before scheduling the resentencing for May 13 and 14.
The forthcoming resentencing hearings will assess whether the brothers have shown rehabilitation during their time in prison and whether they are eligible for a reduced sentence of 50 years to life.
In 1996, the brothers were sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the fatal shootings of their father, José Menendez, and mother, Kitty Menendez, at their Beverly Hills residence.
The siblings were 18 and 21 years old at the time of the incident. Defense attorneys argued their actions were in self-defense following years of sexual abuse by their father, while the prosecution contended that the brothers killed their parents to inherit their multimillion-dollar estate.
After exhausting their ammunition, Hochman claimed the brothers reloaded the shotgun and shot their mother in the face. He also asserted that they shot both parents in the knees to give the appearance of a Mafia hit.
Erik Menendez testified to suffering sexual abuse from their father between the ages of 6 and 18, and he also recounted allegations of sexual abuse experienced by his brother, Lyle, between the ages of 6 and 8.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
From NTD News
