New Los Angeles County District Attorney Holds Meeting with Menendez Brothers’ Family
District Attorney Nathan Hochman indicated that the ‘productive meeting’ will remain private as he evaluates the cases of the Menendez brothers.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman reported that a confidential three-hour discussion with the family of the Menendez brothers was “productive,” though he revealed little about the topics covered during the meeting on January 3.
Erik and Lyle Menendez were convicted in 1989 for the murder of their parents at their Beverly Hills residence, subsequently receiving life sentences without the possibility of parole in 1996.
The family convened with Hochman to furnish information to the newly elected district attorney ahead of a resentencing hearing scheduled for January 30 and 31.
“It was a productive meeting,” Hochman stated during a press conference on Friday.
A team of attorneys in his office is tasked with analyzing nearly 35 years of conduct records from prison, trial transcripts from two trials, and appeal documents.
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His office is diligently preparing for a resentencing hearing that was initiated by former District Attorney George Gascón along with the brothers’ defense counsel.
“We will persist in this challenging yet crucial task of reviewing the facts and the law to ensure the correct decision is made in this case,” Hochman remarked.
The two were convicted of murdering Jose and Kitty Menendez using a shotgun while the couple dined and watched television.
Erik and Lyle Menendez, who are currently 54 and 56 years old respectively, have spent over three decades in prison and are currently housed at the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego.
At the time of the murders, they were 18 and 21 years old. They faced two trials, with the first resulting in a hung jury and the second in their conviction.
A recent Netflix series concerning the Menendez brothers reignited efforts by their family and the public to seek their release, as noted by Gascón last year. Throughout their imprisonment, the brothers allege that the claims of sexual abuse, which Erik stated was inflicted by their father, have been substantiated.
Hochman confirmed that he will continue analyzing all pertinent information, files, and transcripts until the hearing date at the end of the month. He emphasized that each brother, as well as their three charges, will be assessed individually.
“This is a time-consuming process, but making the right decision is paramount,” Hochman stated.
He invited any additional family members to step forward and meet with him during the ongoing review.
The informal discussion held on Friday with the family was described as “off-the-record” by the district attorney.
“I won’t disclose the specific contents of their statements,” Hochman commented.
If the judge permits parole in this case, the brothers could be released without delay.
They would then be evaluated by a two-member parole board. The governor would have a 120-day window following the board’s decision to concur, dissent, or refer it back to a full parole board for further consideration, as explained by Hochman.
Kathy Cady, a former deputy district attorney of the county who retired prior to Gascón’s election in 2020, will be rejoining the office next week.
As a private victim’s rights attorney, she previously represented Milton Andersen, the brother of Kitty Menendez, who desires the brothers to remain incarcerated.
According to Hochman, Cady will be “walled off” from involvement in the case within the office, as her client has secured new representation, the district attorney confirmed.
