The ongoing legal battle surrounding the Menendez brothers’ resentencing took a new turn when the family members of Erik and Lyle Menendez filed a formal complaint against Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman. The Menendez relatives, who are also victims in the high-profile murder case, claim that Hochman’s recent conduct has been hostile, dismissive, and emotionally damaging.
The Family’s Allegations Against Hochman
Tamara Goodell, a cousin of the Menendez brothers, filed the complaint with the United States Attorney’s Office Civil Division. In it, Goodell accuses Hochman of re-traumatizing the Menendez family by acting in an insensitive and disrespectful manner during a meeting with over two dozen family members.
Goodell claims that Hochman’s tone during the meeting was patronizing, creating an intimidating atmosphere. She alleges that the District Attorney shamed the family for not paying attention to his public press briefings and ignored their concerns about the resentencing process.
A Meeting Turned Lecture
According to Goodell, Hochman made the meeting more about himself rather than focusing on the needs of the victims. She states that the D.A. turned the sit-down into a lecture about how he was being treated, rather than taking the opportunity to listen to the victims’ concerns and show compassion for their situation.
Goodell asserts that the “lack of compassion was palpable,” and that the family left the meeting feeling distressed, humiliated, and emotionally drained. She adds that Hochman’s behavior during the meeting left the family feeling dismissed, intimidated, and as though they had been re-victimized all over again.
Violation of Victims’ Rights
The Menendez family’s complaint centers around the alleged violation of their rights under Marsy’s Law, which ensures crime victims are treated with dignity and respect. The law guarantees victims the right to be free from intimidation, harassment, and abuse. According to Goodell, Hochman’s aggressive behavior directly violated these protections.
Hochman’s Public Remarks
The family’s complaint follows Hochman’s public remarks regarding the Menendez brothers’ resentencing. In a recent press conference, the D.A. stated that the brothers should not be resentenced because they have not shown remorse for the murders and have never fully admitted to all the lies they told to cover their tracks.
While the Menendez family continues to call out the District Attorney for his behavior, Hochman has yet to respond to their formal complaint.
