The Los Angeles County District Attorney's office, led by Nathan Hochman, is firmly against the release of the Menendez Brothers, Erik and Lyle Menendez, from prison. Hochman has expressed skepticism regarding the scheduled resentencing hearing set for Thursday, emphasizing that it should be postponed until certain critical documents are obtained.
After an unsuccessful attempt last week to prevent a reassessment of the Menendez Brothers' cases before LA Superior Court Judge Micheal Jesic, the DA's office has filed a conditional motion. This motion seeks to delay the upcoming resentencing hearing until Judge Jesic can review the risk assessment report that Governor Gavin Newsom ordered the parole board to complete on March 4. This report is essential as it will play a significant role in the clemency petition for the Menendez siblings.
The Governor's office is expected to use the findings from the risk assessment report during a hearing scheduled for June 13, where the Menendez Brothers will each have their cases individually reviewed. From that hearing, Governor Newsom will decide whether to grant clemency. The DA's recent filing appears to both expedite this process and simultaneously delay the resentencing hearing, which has already faced numerous postponements.
The Menendez case, notorious for the brutal 1989 shotgun murders of Erik and Lyle’s parents, has stirred significant public interest, particularly following the release of Netflix's series, "Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story." The resentencing hearing was initially scheduled for April 17-18 but has faced delays due to various factors, including political changes and natural disasters.
In their recent filing, the DA's office highlighted the completion of the Comprehensive Risk Assessment Reports on April 15, 2025. They noted that, although these reports are protected under the Governor's executive privilege, the Governor’s office has invited the court to request access to these documents for use in the resentencing hearing. The DA’s office is advocating for the court to secure these reports and has requested that if additional time is needed, the hearing should be postponed.
The Menendez case has become a political football, especially since former DA George Gascón drew attention to it during his reelection campaign. Hochman has faced criticism for his handling of the case, particularly after withdrawing the resentencing motion initiated by Gascón. The Menendez family has expressed outrage over the DA’s handling of the case, particularly regarding the use of graphic crime scene photos during court proceedings, which they claim violated the Victim’s Bill of Rights.
With the resentencing hearing set for around 9:30 am PT on April 17, the Menendez family has sought an earlier 8:30 am PT hearing to address misconduct allegations against the DA’s office. The DA's office has taken to social media to assert their position leading up to the hearings, indicating that tensions are high as the case continues to unfold.
As the situation develops, the implications for the Menendez Brothers, the DA's office, and the broader discourse surrounding clemency and criminal justice reform in California remain uncertain. Whatever the outcome of the upcoming hearings, it is clear that the emotional stakes for all involved are substantial, and further legal filings are anticipated.
