New Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman’s office has dismissed claims of a potential conflict of interest in the Menendez brothers’ case as “meritless,” amid efforts by their relatives to have the state attorney general handle their potential resentencing instead of county prosecutors.
“The conflict of interest issue, raised to the media before being brought to the District Attorney’s Office, is baseless,” a DA spokesperson said. “All Menendez victim family members who wish to speak with the District Attorney before any final decisions are made have been invited to do so, and these discussions are expected to conclude in the coming weeks.”
Former DA George Gascon, Hochman’s predecessor, reportedly met only with relatives supporting the brothers’ release, excluding their 90-year-old uncle, Milton Andersen. Andersen, who opposes any leniency, has condemned his nephews for fatally shooting their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez, in their Beverly Hills home in 1989. After their conviction, the brothers were sentenced to life without parole, a sentence they are seeking to reduce under California’s new resentencing law.
Despite Andersen’s opposition, support for the Menendez brothers’ release has grown, fueled by documentaries detailing their claims of childhood abuse by their father, a former RCA Records executive. Joan Andersen VanderMolen, another relative, joins over two dozen family members advocating for their freedom.
Additionally, new evidence has emerged, including allegations by Roy Rosello of Menudo and a letter Erik Menendez allegedly wrote to his cousin eight months before the murders, which may corroborate their abuse claims.
Andersen VanderMolen’s attorney, Bryan Freedman, intends to request that the resentencing be transferred to the California Attorney General’s Office, citing concerns over a conflict of interest. The alleged conflict involves Kathleen Cady, Andersen’s former attorney, who has joined Hochman’s office as director of the Bureau of Victim Services. Cady, a former deputy district attorney and victims’ rights advocate, no longer represents Andersen and has declined to comment.
The brothers maintain they acted in self-defense, fearing their father would kill them to prevent exposure of his abuse. However, critics point to the brutality of the murders, particularly the excessive force used against their mother. Andersen has rejected their claims of abuse, stating he mourns his sister and seeks justice for her murder.
While the new DA has pledged to review the case thoroughly, other legal paths remain open for the brothers, including a habeas corpus petition based on the newly surfaced evidence. Governor Gavin Newsom has also deferred a clemency decision, awaiting Hochman’s review of the case.
