LA DA Hochman Opposes Overturning Menendez Brothers’ Convictions

Los Angeles’ recently elected District Attorney, Nathan Hochman, announced on Friday that he has formally requested the court to deny the Menendez brothers’ petition for a new trial. This development follows an assertion made by former DA George Gascon months earlier, which cited new evidence—a letter indicating the potential abuse the brothers allegedly suffered at the hands of their father—as grounds for reconsideration.

Hochman raised significant concerns regarding the validity of the evidence, contending that it fails to meet the stringent criteria necessary for a retrial. He remarked, “We reassessed the credibility of the letters, specifically the purported 1988 correspondence from Erik Menendez to Andy Cano, and found it riddled with inconsistencies that cast doubt on its authenticity.” This letter, allegedly penned eight months before the murders of their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez, outlines claims of sexual abuse.

Hochman emphasized that even if the letter’s authenticity were to be established, its late introduction—nearly three decades after the fact—would render it inadmissible. He critiqued the delay in presenting this evidence, noting that calls for a new trial were not raised until an extended period had passed.

The Menendez brothers, convicted in 1996 for the 1989 killings, have faced renewed scrutiny regarding their claims of trauma and abuse. Their family expressed profound disappointment in Hochman’s decision, arguing that it reopens old wounds and undermines the psychological impacts of their historical abuse. They condemned Hochman’s assertions, labeling them as not only unjust but also dangerous, as they perpetuate harmful narratives surrounding survivors of abuse.

The family remains hopeful that Judge Jesic will impartially assess the evidence in light of contemporary understandings of trauma, as they continue to advocate for justice and healing from a decades-long ordeal.