L.A. County District Attorney Nathan Hochman has confirmed that he will take into account evidence of alleged sexual abuse at the hands of Jose Menendez as Erik and Lyle Menendez prepare to make their case for resentencing.
Hochman Acknowledges Abuse Claims Could Impact Resentencing
Speaking on TMZ Live on Monday, Hochman acknowledged that California’s resentencing laws permit judges to consider “psychological, physical, or childhood trauma, including … abuse, neglect, exploitation, or sexual violence” when reviewing cases. This means that claims of sexual abuse suffered by the Menendez brothers could play a role in their upcoming resentencing hearing.
However, Hochman was firm in stating that any allegations of abuse do not call into question the brothers’ original conviction. Instead, the claims could influence their plea for a reduced sentence—potentially opening the door to parole.
Menendez Brothers Seek Reduced Sentence
Erik and Lyle Menendez, who were convicted in 1996 of murdering their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez, are set to argue for a lesser sentence next month. If granted, this could lead to a parole board determining their eligibility for release. The brothers have long maintained that their actions were driven by years of alleged sexual abuse at the hands of their father.
DA’s Office to Review ‘2 Angry Men’ Podcast for Further Insight
Hochman also revealed that he has only heard snippets of Erik and Lyle’s discussions on the 2 Angry Men podcast, hosted by Harvey Levin and Mark Geragos. However, he assured that his team will conduct a full review of the podcast as part of their evaluation process.
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Governor Gavin Newsom Holds the Final Decision
While Hochman plays a key role in reviewing the case, he emphasized that the final decision will likely land on the desk of California Governor Gavin Newsom. The governor will ultimately have the authority to approve or deny any potential sentence modifications, making him a pivotal figure in the Menendez brothers’ future.
For the full interview with Nathan Hochman, tune in to TMZ Live on Monday for exclusive insights into the case and what’s next for Erik and Lyle Menendez.
