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Menendez Family Sues L.A. DA Over Graphic Crime Scene Photo Display

The lawsuit alleges the unauthorized display of a bloody crime scene photo violated victims' rights and caused severe emotional distress, including hospitalization of an elderly family member.

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Overview

  • The Menendez brothers' family filed a lawsuit against the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, claiming the use of a graphic crime scene photo in court violated victims' rights under Marsy’s Law.
  • The photo, depicting the bloody aftermath of Jose Menendez’s 1989 murder, was displayed without prior notice during a resentencing hearing last week.
  • Family members reported significant emotional distress, with 85-year-old Terry Baralt, a sister of Jose Menendez, collapsing and being hospitalized after seeing the image.
  • The family’s legal motion requests the court admonish District Attorney Nathan Hochman and his office, and mandate advance warnings for future displays of graphic evidence.
  • The resentencing hearing for Erik and Lyle Menendez, which could potentially reduce their life sentences, is scheduled to proceed on April 17–18, despite the DA’s opposition to their release.