Mystery surrounds the outcome of a discussion between loved ones of convicted killer brothers Erik and Lyle Menendez and the new Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman.
The family who are busy advocating for a ‘fair and just resentencing’ for the brothers had planned to provide comments at their own press conference as soon as their conversation concluded on Friday.
But in an odd turn of events, they cancelled just minutes after the meeting wrapped up.
When a reporter asked the reasoning behind the abrupt change of plans, Hochman bluntly responded: ‘I wouldn’t know one way or the other.’
Family members have been relentlessly calling for the brothers’ release for nearly 35 years after they were taken into custody at the ages of 21 and 18 for the murders of their parents.
George Gascón, the former DA, announced during his failed reelection campaign that the LA District Attorney’s Office would review the case after the brothers’ second trial – which saw them convicted of murder – failed to show the abuse they suffered.
Gascón recommended a judge give the brothers a new sentence of 50 years to life, which would make them immediately eligible for parole.
The Menendez family, who were scheduled to hold their own press conference after meeting with the new Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman on Friday, cancelled just minutes after their conversation concluded
The Menendez brother’s family have been advocating for their release for nearly 35 years after they were convicted of murdering their parents, Jose and Kitty, at their Beverly Hills home in 1989
Teresita Baralt, the sister of Jose Menendez, was one of more than 20 family members who were in attendance for the meeting with DA Hochman
After Hochman’s win, he said he would reevaluate the case, but that the brothers would not be getting out as soon as their supporters had hoped.
When he officially took office on December 3 as the new top dog, he promised to review all of the facts in the Menendez case.
Additionally, he informed the public that he planned to look into each of their cases separately rather than as one.
More than 20 family members spoke with Hochman on Friday in yet another push for a new sentence that ‘reflects Erik and Lyle’s abuse, trauma and demonstrated rehabilitation over the last 35 years’ as the newly sworn-in DA weighs whether to pursue that resentence.
‘As we prepare to meet with DA Hochman, our family is hopeful for an open and fair discussion,’ the family said ahead of the meeting in a statement on Thursday.
‘Despite the abuse they endured as children and the unfairness of their current sentence, Erik and Lyle Menendez have spent the last three decades taking responsibility for their actions and contributing positively to their community through leadership and rehabilitation.
‘During our meeting with DA Hochman, we look forward to sharing our perspective on Erik and Lyle’s immense personal growth over the last 35 years, and the ways in which we plan to support them in their next chapters,’ it continued.
‘We hope that this meeting will put us a step closer to spending next Christmas reunited as a family.’
Karen VanderMolen, the niece of Kitty Menendez, walking in to meet with Hochman
Family members of the Menendez brothers were in attendance together and listened in to the former LA County District Attorney George Gascón for a separate conference in October
Following the meeting, Hochman held a press conference to provide information on their conversation, noting how it was ‘very productive’ and ‘in some ways, an informal, off-the-record discussion’.
Although he didn’t reveal any other details about what they spoke about, he noted how: ‘It was a very productive conversation over a number of hours.’
‘It was a very productive session where they gave me all their thoughts about what should happen in this case, their experiences that they wanted to share, the directions that they wanted this case to go,’ he said.
Despite the seemingly beneficial talk, Hochman acknowledged that he is still reviewing all of the facts in the case and hasn’t yet come to a decision on whether or not he’s in support of the brothers’ walking free.
He added how the effort has involved the diligent review of thousands of pages of confidential prison records and court filings, trial transcripts and speaking to all the prosecutors and defense attorneys involved.
‘We’re going to spend the time necessary to get this decision right,’ he said.
‘There’s not a lot of free time in my life right now, but that’s OK. I didn’t sign up for a job that said I was going to have a lot of free time.’
‘Right now, the resentencing hearing is set for January 30 and 31. That date is the date we’re working against,’ he continued. ‘And if that changes, we will certainly let you know.’
The brothers, now aged 53 and 56, are currently serving life in prison without parole for gunning down their parents
Their defense claimed that they acted in self-defense after enduring years of sexual abuse at the hands of their own father
The prosecution argued that Erik and Lyle weren’t acting out of self defense but rather killed their parents for the purpose of coming into money
‘We will continue to do this difficult but important work of reviewing the facts of the law to make the right decision in this case.’
Although the Menendez family press conference was cancelled, Anamaria Baralt, a cousin of the brothers, briefly spoke to reporters about the discussion, noting how the family was grateful for the opportunity.
‘I want to reiterate our position as a family and as the victims’ families that this 35-year process has been incredibly traumatizing for us as I’m sure that you can all imagine.’
Additionally, she said that the family was hoping to see an immediate release of their loved ones, adding that going before a parole board ‘will only serve to re-traumatize us’.
The brothers, now aged 53 and 56, are currently serving life in prison without parole for fatally shooting their parents, Jose and Kitty, at their Beverly Hills home in 1989.
The defense claimed that they acted in self-defense after enduring years of sexual abuse at the hands of their own father.
But prosecutors alleged that the pair killed for the purpose of coming into money.
