Hochman Rejects New Trial for Menendez Brothers, Citing ‘Lies and Deception’
“Erik and Lyle Menendez had told five different versions of what happened,” Hochman stated, pointing to past inconsistencies, including the brothers’ initial suggestions that their parents were killed in a mafia hit and their solicitation of a friend to falsely claim she had been raped by their father, Jose Menendez.
The Menendez brothers have spent over three decades behind bars for the murders of Jose and Kitty Menendez in their Beverly Hills mansion. Prosecutors successfully argued in their second trial that they killed their parents out of greed, aiming to inherit their family’s multimillion-dollar fortune. The brothers, however, have long maintained they acted in self-defense after years of sexual and emotional abuse at the hands of their father.
Their latest bid for a new trial hinges on what they claim is fresh evidence supporting their abuse allegations. This includes a 1988 letter written by Erik Menendez to his cousin, in which he detailed ongoing abuse, and accusations from former Menudo band member Roy Rosselló, who has publicly stated that Jose Menendez raped him when he was a teenager.
Despite this, Hochman said the sexual abuse allegations do not change the core issue of the case—murder. He cited statements from a defense attorney during the brothers’ original trials, who acknowledged that sexual abuse alone was not a justification for killing.
“For self-defense to apply, they needed to have an imminent fear that their parents would kill them,” Hochman argued, reinforcing his position that the murders were premeditated rather than reactive.
Legal analysts say that while a new trial is unlikely, the possibility of resentencing based on rehabilitation remains open. Neama Rahmani, a former federal prosecutor, noted that Hochman’s emphasis on the brothers’ deception suggests he will likely oppose any effort at leniency.
“But given that Hochman talked at length about the Menendez brothers’ lies, I think this is less likely,” Rahmani said. “Although Hochman said he has not made a decision on resentencing, reading the tea leaves, I’m guessing he will oppose.”
The Menendez case continues to capture public attention, decades after it first made headlines. Renewed interest surged following Netflix’s true crime documentary series, which highlighted the abuse allegations and led to calls for a reassessment of their sentences.
However, Hochman’s stance signals that he will not be swayed by public sentiment. Criminal defense attorney Louis Shapiro said the district attorney’s statement was a clear message.
“He is saying they follow the law pure and simple,” Shapiro said. “His demeanor and tone tells you he is not sympathetic to the Menendez brothers’ cause.”
Supporters of the Menendez brothers, including relatives, expressed their frustration with Hochman’s position. The Justice for Erik and Lyle Coalition, an advocacy group pushing for their release, strongly criticized his remarks.
“Abuse does not exist in a vacuum,” the group said in a statement. “To say it played no role in Erik and Lyle’s action is to ignore decades of psychological research and basic human understanding.”
Family members who support the brothers’ release were also vocal in their disappointment.
“We are profoundly disappointed by [Hochman’s] remarks, in which he effectively tore up new evidence and discredited the trauma they experienced,” they said in a joint statement.
As the debate continues, the next key decision will be whether the Menendez brothers could receive a new sentence. California Governor Gavin Newsom has said he will not weigh in on clemency until after Hochman makes a final decision on resentencing.
With Hochman set to review the case in the coming weeks, the brothers’ fate remains uncertain.
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