The household of Erik and Lyle Menendez gathered with supporters at a rally and information convention Thursday, rejecting claims by Los Angeles District Lawyer Nathan Hochman that the brothers hadn’t taken accountability for the 1989 killing of their dad and mom and claiming that Hochman has a “private bias” in opposition to the brothers’ bid for launch.
“Hochman doesn’t appear to wish to hear or have interaction with us,” mentioned Lyle and Erik’s cousin, Tamara Goodell, Individuals journal reported. “At each flip, we really feel like DA Hochman has dismissed us, ignored us, and fairly frankly, handled us like we don’t matter. Why? Why does he appear to be making this case so private? A district lawyer is meant to be truthful, neutral, and targeted on the regulation, however Hochman isn’t appearing like a impartial social gathering.”
Goodell additionally mentioned that any lies her cousins instructed throughout their trial had been as a consequence of trauma and worry.
FILE – Erik and Lyle Menendez are seen throughout their trial.
Ted Soqui/Sygma through Getty Pictures
“Children lie once they’re scared, once they really feel intimidated, and once they turn into traumatized. They lie once they don’t know who to belief. However they develop up, they be taught, they usually take accountability,” Goodell continued.
Final week, Hochman instructed reporters throughout a press convention that his resolution to resentence the Menendez brothers hinged on whether or not the brothers had exhibited “insight and complete responsibility” into lies instructed throughout their trial, together with their authentic declare that they didn’t kill their dad and mom.
Hochman mentioned that they’re “ready to go ahead” with the listening to relating to the resentencing case. “Nonetheless, we’re asking the courtroom to withdraw the earlier district lawyer’s movement for resentencing, as a result of we consider there are official causes and the interests of justice justifies that withdrawal.”
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Hochman mentioned their repeated argument that they killed their dad and mom in self-defence doesn’t match the details of the case that confirmed premeditated steps to plan the killings and make it appear to be a gang hit.
On this Oct. 20, 1995, file picture, Lyle Menendez appears to be like up throughout testimony in his and his brother Erik’s retrial for the shotgun slayings of their dad and mom in Los Angeles, Calif.
Steve Grayson / UPI through AP, Pool, File)
At first, the brothers, who had been 18 and 21 years previous on the time of the killings, maintained to police they’d stopped by their dad and mom’ home that night time to retrieve Erik’s ID whereas on the way in which to a film and found their slain dad and mom, Kitty and Jose Menendez.
Erik ultimately confided to his therapist that he and his brother had been responsible for the killings. After the therapist shared the knowledge along with his mistress, the confession ultimately made its approach to police.
The brothers claimed they killed their dad and mom as a result of they feared for his or her lives and that their father had sexually abused them for years.
Supporters maintain indicators with photos of District Lawyer Nathan Hochman throughout a press convention relating to developments within the Menendez brothers case on March 20, 2025, in Los Angeles.
Damian Dovarganes / The Related Press
Thursday’s rally was purported to coincide with a resentencing listening to for the brothers that might lead to them being instantly eligible for parole after 35 years behind bars. It was postponed to April after Hochman introduced his workplace was withdrawing the resentencing motion beforehand submitted by his predecessor, George Gascón. Whereas the choose can proceed with out the district lawyer’s assist, authorized consultants say the brothers’ probabilities of success have diminished tremendously.
Anamaria Baralt, a cousin of the brothers, mentioned they’ve already taken accountability and acknowledged their errors. The household has no intention of fixing their place, Baralt mentioned, including she hopes the brothers gained’t both.
“We gained’t let him rewrite historical past,” she mentioned of Hochman. “That will be pandering to his fact.”
Anamaria Baralt, cousin of Erik and Lyle Menendez, speaks throughout a press convention relating to developments within the Menendez brothers case on March 20, 2025, in Los Angeles.
Damian Dovarganes / The Related Press
Round 50 supporters of the Menendez brothers marched with indicators across the downtown legal justice centre, chanting, “What will we consider in? Second probabilities!” The information convention and rally additionally drew the assist of legal justice organizations, such because the Anti-Recidivism Coalition and Latino Justice.
“We must always not throw folks away,” mentioned Michael Mendoza, legal justice director for Latino Justice, who met Lyle Menendez when he was serving time in state jail. “We must always not hand over on our younger folks.”
A resentencing listening to is scheduled for April 11.
The brothers are additionally set to seem in entrance of a parole board on June 13 after California Gov. Gavin Newsom introduced that he requested the California parole board to conduct an evaluation investigation into whether or not the brothers are dangers to the general public in the event that they go free.
— With recordsdata from World Information’ Katie Scott and The Related Press
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In the event you or somebody you understand is experiencing abuse or is concerned in an abusive state of affairs, please go to the Canadian Resource Centre for Victims of Crime for assist. They’re additionally reachable toll-free at 1-877-232-2610.
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