The new Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman’s office is addressing claims of a potential conflict of interest in the Menendez brothers’ case as their relatives explore having their potential resentencing handled by the state attorney general’s office. The DA’s office dismissed the conflict of interest issue as “meritless” and invited all Menendez victim family members to discuss the case before any final decisions are made. Hochman’s predecessor, George Gascon, allegedly only met with relatives supporting the brothers’ freedom and not their 90-year-old uncle, Milton Andersen, who opposes any leniency for his nephews.
Erik and Joseph “Lyle” Menendez were convicted of shooting their parents, Jose and Mary “Kitty” Menendez, in their Beverly Hills living room in 1989. The brothers initially spent $700,000 after the murders, leading investigators to suspect a mob hit, but they were eventually arrested. Their first trial ended in a hung jury, and they were later sentenced to life without parole. They are seeking a reduction in their sentence under California’s new resentencing law, with support from Andersen and Kitty’s sister, Joan Andersen VanderMolen, and other relatives, as well as public advocates after claims of childhood abuse by their father were explored in documentaries.
New evidence, including allegations of abuse against Jose Menendez by a former Menudo band member and a potentially incriminating letter from Erik Menendez to his cousin, are being used to support the brothers’ case. Andersen VanderMolen’s attorney, Bryan Freedman, plans to request that the potential resentencing be transferred to the California Attorney General’s Office due to concerns about a conflict of interest involving the new DA’s office. Kathleen Cady, a former attorney for Andersen, has taken a position in Hochman’s office, prompting claims of a conflict of interest.
Gascon, in the final weeks of his term, had pushed for a resentencing that could have led to the brothers’ release under a new California law, but he lost his bid for re-election to Hochman. Hochman, an independent, has pledged to carefully review the facts of each brother’s case before taking a stance on their resentencing. Despite claims of self-defense by the brothers, who alleged abuse by their father, Andersen vehemently opposes any reduction in their sentences. A separate habeas corpus petition is also pending, relying on new evidence to potentially secure the brothers’ release.
Governor Gavin Newsom has declined to grant a clemency petition for the Menendez brothers, deferring to Hochman’s review of the case before making a decision. The Menendez case has garnered significant public interest and debate, with conflicting opinions on the brothers’ culpability and the potential for their resentencing. Hochman’s office remains committed to a thorough review of the case, including input from all relevant parties, before reaching any final decisions on the brothers’ resentencing.
