Family members of the Menendez brothers are set to meet with Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman on January 3 to push for a reduced sentence.
Lyle and Erik Menendez were convicted in 1996 for killing their parents, Kitty and Jose Menendez, in 1989 when they were 21 and 18 years old. They were sentenced to life without parole.
The defense during their trial argued that the brothers murdered their parents after enduring years of abuse from their father, which their mother ignored. They also stated they feared for their lives at the time of the killings.
Former District Attorney George Gascón had supported resentencing the brothers to make them eligible for parole, but after Gascón’s removal, Hochman decided to review the case further.
Ahead of the meeting, the Justice for Erik and Lyle Coalition, a group of the brothers’ supporters, released a statement asking for a fair discussion. They emphasized the brothers’ rehabilitation over the past 35 years, their acknowledgment of their actions, and their positive contributions to their community.
The family will discuss the brothers’ growth and future, hoping the meeting will bring them closer to a possible holiday reunion.
Over 20 family members supporting resentencing, considering the brothers’ trauma and rehabilitation, will attend. Public interest in the case has increased due to the Netflix documentary The Menendez Brothers and the series Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story.
Hochman has stated he will review the case before deciding on resentencing.
Gascón had proposed a 50-to-life sentence to make the brothers eligible for parole and supported clemency from Governor Gavin Newsom, who has said he will wait for Hochman’s recommendation.
