Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman recently suggested that the Menendez brothers’ request for resentencing might result in separate cases with potentially different outcomes for Erik and Lyle Menendez.
Speaking with NBC News’ Lester Holt, Hochman emphasized that the brothers are not a “package deal” and that each case will be evaluated independently.
Hochman explained that while the case is often referred to as the “Menendez brothers case,” it involves two distinct victims—Jose Menendez, their father, and Kitty Menendez, their mother. He stated, “We will look at each case separately, as the law demands, and evaluate each victim’s case individually before deciding on resentencing.”
Erik and Lyle Menendez were convicted in 1995 for killing their parents in their Beverly Hills home in 1989.
Although their involvement in the murders is undisputed, evidence has since emerged suggesting that Jose Menendez may have sexually abused the brothers and others, including a member of the boy band Menudo.
Hochman has not yet committed to following the recommendation of his predecessor, George Gascón, who supported resentencing for the brothers, a move that could lead to their release. Instead, Hochman is reviewing case files, consulting with all parties involved, and determining whether resentencing is warranted. “If I have to make that call, I will do the hard work to make the right decision,” he told KTLA.
