Mystery surrounds the outcome of a discussion between loved ones of convicted murderer brothers Erik and Lyle Menendez and new Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman.
The family, which has been busy advocating for a “fair and just sentencing” for the brothers, planned to comment at their own news conference once their conversation concluded Friday.
But in a strange turn of events, they canceled just minutes after the meeting ended.
When a reporter asked the reason behind the abrupt change of plans, Hochman replied bluntly, “I wouldn’t know one way or the other.”
Relatives have been relentlessly calling for the brothers’ release for almost 35 years after they were taken into custody at the ages of 21 and 18 for murdering their parents.
George Gascón, the former district attorney, announced during his failed re-election campaign that the LA Attorney General’s Office would review the case after the brothers’ second trial — in which they were convicted of murder — failed to show the abuse they suffered.
Gascón recommended a judge give the brothers a new sentence of 50 years to life, which would make them immediately eligible for parole.
The Menendez family, who were scheduled to hold their own news conference Friday after meeting with new Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman, canceled just minutes after their conversation concluded.
The Menendez brother’s family has been advocating for their release for nearly 35 years after they were convicted of killing their parents, Jose and Kitty, in their Beverly Hills home in 1989.
Teresita Baralt, sister of Jose Menendez, was one of more than two dozen family members present at the meeting with DA Hochman
After Hochman’s victory, he said he would reassess the case, but that the brothers would not leave as quickly as their supporters had hoped.
When he officially took office as the new top dog on December 3, he promised to review all the facts in the Menendez case.
Additionally, he informed the public that he intended to investigate each of their cases separately rather than as one case.
More than two dozen family members spoke to Hochman on Friday in a new effort to get a new sentence that “reflects Erik and Lyle’s abuse, trauma and proven rehabilitation over the past 35 years,” as the newly sworn-in district attorney weighs whether he should continue that grudge.
“As we prepare to meet with District Attorney Hochman, our family hopes for an open and honest discussion,” the family said in a statement Thursday ahead of the meeting.
“Despite the abuse they suffered as children and the unfairness of their current sentence, Erik and Lyle Menendez have taken responsibility for their actions over the past thirty years and made positive contributions to their community through leadership and rehabilitation.
“As we meet with DA Hochman, we look forward to sharing our perspective on Erik and Lyle’s immense personal growth over the past 35 years, and the ways we plan to support them in their next chapters,” it continued report.
“We hope this meeting will bring us one step closer to spending next Christmas reunited as a family.”
Karen VanderMolen, Kitty Menendez’s niece, comes in to meet with Hochman
Relatives of the Menendez brothers attended together and listened to former LA County District Attorney George Gascón before a separate conference in October
After the meeting, Hochman held a press conference to provide information about their conversation, noting that it was “very productive” and “in some ways an informal, off-the-record discussion.”
While he didn’t reveal any other details about what they talked about, he noted, “It was a very productive conversation over several hours.”
“It was a very productive session where they gave me all their thoughts on what should be done in this case, their experiences they wanted to share, the directions they wanted to take this case,” he said.
Despite the apparently helpful conversation, Hochman acknowledged that he is still reviewing all the facts in the case and has not yet reached a decision on whether or not he supports the brothers’ release.
He added that the effort included painstakingly reviewing thousands of pages of confidential jail records and court documents, trial transcripts and speaking to all prosecutors and defense attorneys involved.
“We are going to spend the time necessary to get this decision right,” he said.
“There’s not a lot of free time in my life right now, but that’s okay. I didn’t sign up for a job that said I would get a lot of time off.”
“At this time, the hearing on the criminal case is scheduled for January 30 and 31. That date is the date we are working against,” he continued. “And if that changes, we’ll be sure to let you know.”
The brothers, now aged 53 and 56, are currently serving life in prison without parole for shooting their parents
Their defense claimed they acted in self-defense after enduring years of sexual abuse at the hands of their own father
The prosecution argued that Erik and Lyle did not act in self-defense, but rather killed their parents with the intention of making money.
“We will continue to do this difficult but important work of assessing the facts of the law to make the right decision in this case.”
Although the Menendez family’s press conference was canceled, Anamaria Baralt, a cousin of the brothers, spoke briefly to reporters about the discussion and noted how grateful the family was for the opportunity.
“I would like to reiterate our position as a family and as families of the victims that this 35-year process has been incredibly traumatizing for us, as I’m sure you can all imagine.”
In addition, she said the family hoped for an immediate release of their loved ones, adding that appearing before a parole hearing “will only retraumatize us.”
The brothers, now 53 and 56, are currently serving life in prison without parole for fatally shooting their parents, Jose and Kitty, in their Beverly Hills home in 1989.
The defense claimed they acted in self-defense after enduring years of sexual abuse at the hands of their own father.
But prosecutors alleged the couple killed with the intent to get money.