LA prosecutor opposes resentencing Menendez brothers
What's the story
Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman has openly opposed the potential resentencing of Lyle and Erik Menendez.
The brothers are serving life sentences without the possibility of parole for the 1989 murder of their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez.
This position differs from that of his predecessor, George Gascon, who had sought a reduction in their sentences to 50 years to life.
Hochman argues the brothers haven't shown true accountability or "insight" into their crimes.
Accountability
Hochman refutes brothers' self-defense claims
Hochman cited the brothers' persistent claims of self-defense as evidence of their lack of accountability.
According to BBC, he stated, "They have not shown full insight into their crimes," and dismissed their self-defense claim as "fabricated."
The brothers have maintained that their actions were a result of years of sexual and physical abuse, not financial gain.
Hochman also presented detailed evidence of the brothers' planning of the murders in his court filing.
Inconsistencies
Hochman criticized brothers' shifting narratives
Hochman slammed the Menendez brothers for their changing stories about how the murders took place.
He pointed out how they first denied involvement and proposed their parents were targets of a Mafia hit.
Only after Erik confessed to his therapist, whose tape was later submitted to authorities, did the truth of their guilt come out.
"They convinced, not just the media, not just the police, but their family and their friends that they were 100% innocent of these crimes."
Legal options
Menendez brothers pursue multiple avenues for freedom
The Menendez brothers are seeking three paths to freedom: a new trial, clemency from California Governor Gavin Newsom, and resentencing.
However, Hochman has said his office would oppose the new trial request.
A cousin of the brothers, responding to Hochman's position, accused him of a "hostile, dismissive and patronizing tone" in a complaint to the State's Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
Risk assessment
Hochman draws parallels with Robert Kennedy's assassin
Hochman also compared the case with Robert Kennedy's assassin, Sirhan Sirhan, who was denied parole by Newsom in 2021.
He claimed both defendants posed an "unreasonable risk to public safety" as they failed to show any insight into their crimes.
Last month, Hochman opposed a new trial for the brothers, claiming their new proof of sexual abuse was part of a pattern of "lies and deceit."
The brothers' case was covered in Netflix's Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story.