The Los Angeles district attorney Nathan Hochman has withdrawn his predecessor’s request to reduce the sentences of Lyle and Erik Menendez, saying the brothers have not taken full “responsibility” for their crimes.
The brothers were sentenced to life in prison without parole for the 1989 shotgun murders of their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez, in their Beverly Hills mansion. Last year, the brothers’ defense kicked off a new effort to free them, filing a habeas corpus petition that argued there was new evidence to support allegations the brothers were sexually abused by their father. They claimed they acted in self-defense and feared their parents would murder them if they came forward about the abuse.
Former district attorney George Gascon announced last year his office was examining new evidence in the case and ultimately decided to recommend the brothers be resentenced and immediately eligible for parole. However, Hochman, defeated Gascon in a November 2024 election, putting the Menendez’ resentencing in question.
At a press conference on Monday morning, Hochman said the brothers hadn’t acknowledged that their claims of self defense at trial were “fabricated,” which is the reason his office had filed an 88-page motion requesting the court withdraw the resentencing request.
“The Menendez brothers have continued to lie for over 30 years about their self-defense — that is, their purported actual fear that their mother and their father were going to kill them the night of the murders,” Hochman said. “Also, over those 30 years, they have failed to accept responsibility for the vast number of lies they told in connection with that defense.”
Prosecutors in the original case argued the brothers were motivated to receive a $14 million inheritance.
They were convicted of first-degree murder and conspiracy to murder in 1996 and sentenced to two consecutive life terms in prison without parole.
In February, Hochman announced that he opposed a new trial and urged the court to deny the petition.
The brother’s still have pathways to freedom, including gaining clemency from Gov. Gavin Newsom. Their original resentencing hearing was scheduled to begin March 20, but it was postponed to an unknown date.
Newsom’s office is currently conducting a risk assessment to determine whether or not the brothers would pose a risk to the public if they were released.
The California governor also announced he is proposing new regulations that would make it easier to assess if prisoners are eligible for parole.
