Menendez Brothers’ Resentencing Hangs in Balance as New Evidence and Politics Collide

The brothers, imprisoned since 1996 for murdering their parents, face uncertainty as a new Los Angeles district attorney reviews their case.

Erik and Lyle Menendez, convicted in 1996 for killing their parents, are seeking resentencing based on claims of abuse and new evidence, including a corroborating letter and allegations from a former Menudo band member.
Outgoing Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascón supported a review of their case, citing their young ages at the time of the crime, claims of abuse, and good behavior in prison, but his successor, Nathan Hochman, is reevaluating the matter.
Hochman has pledged to review all evidence and family testimony before determining whether resentencing is appropriate, delaying key hearings until late January 2025.
A lawyer representing 24 relatives supporting the brothers' release has requested the case be transferred to the California attorney general, citing a conflict of interest within Hochman’s office, a claim Hochman’s team has rejected as baseless.
Governor Gavin Newsom has deferred a clemency decision until Hochman completes his review, with the case carrying potential political implications for Newsom's future ambitions.