Nathan Hochman, the incoming Los Angeles District Attorney, is preparing to take on the complex case of Erik and Lyle Menendez, whose 1989 conviction for murdering their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez, in Beverly Hills has reignited public interest. This surge in attention has been fueled by Netflix’s dramatized series *Monsters* and its accompanying documentary, featuring the brothers speaking from prison. However, Hochman has cautioned that public perception, influenced by these dramatizations and celebrity advocacy, may not be grounded in the complete legal facts.
Hochman, who will be sworn in on Dec. 2, told the Daily Beast that he has purposely avoided watching the Netflix portrayals. “I purposely just didn’t want to see [them] because what’s the point?” Hochman said. “It’s not like I’m going to watch the movie. I’d rather read the book.” He emphasized his intent to approach the case with a fresh and unbiased perspective, stating, “I have some vague recollections of the case 30 years ago, and that’s all the more reason why I feel compelled to… really get deep into the facts, because, you know, newspaper accounts are wildly inaccurate often on what the true facts of a case look like.”
The Menendez brothers’ case has drawn high-profile support, including from Kim Kardashian, who, along with actor Cooper Koch, visited the brothers in prison. Kardashian later penned an essay advocating for their release. Hochman remains cautious about the influence of celebrity endorsements, stressing that such figures often lack an understanding of the intricate legal elements involved.
One of outgoing DA George Gascón’s final actions was to request the brothers’ sentences be reduced to 50 years with the possibility of parole, which would make them eligible for release. The judge has scheduled a resentencing hearing for Dec. 11, meaning the case will be one of Hochman’s first responsibilities upon assuming office. “This [case] is a high priority,” Hochman asserted. “Any time a particular case gets this level of attention, it’s even that more important to get it right.”
The Menendez brothers, now 56 and 53, argue they acted in self-defense after enduring years of abuse from their father. Their habeas corpus petition, filed in May 2023, claims that key evidence was excluded from their original trial. They point to a letter from 1988 as proof of their fear and cite an accusation from a former member of the boy band Menudo, who alleged sexual abuse by Jose Menendez. Los Angeles Superior Court Judge William Ryan will consider the petition at a hearing on Nov. 26.
If resentenced, a parole hearing would be needed, and the decision would ultimately rest with California’s parole board, whose members are appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom. Alternatively, the brothers have petitioned Newsom for clemency. Observers are divided on whether Newsom, who has political ambitions, would be willing to grant such a high-profile request.
Hochman is committed to an exhaustive review of the case. “This is a perfect example where people have reached conclusions based on a very limited review of the facts and pretty much no knowledge of most of the law,” he stated. Having grown up near the Menendez family’s former home and witnessed the trials as a young prosecutor, Hochman understands the case’s gravity. “You want to get this one right,” he said, adding that he plans to balance his prosecutorial experience with a fair assessment of the defense’s arguments.
As public interest continues to grow, Hochman’s approach to the case will be closely scrutinized. “What matters are the facts. What matters is justice and fairness,” Newsom has also remarked about the case, emphasizing that celebrity status should neither harm nor help the Menendez brothers.
Despite widespread speculation, Hochman is committed to basing any decisions on a thorough understanding of both the facts and the law, ensuring that justice is served appropriately.
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