Fri Nov 15 11:00:00 UTC 2024: ## New LA County DA to Review Evidence Before Deciding Menendez Brothers’ Fate

The newly elected Los Angeles County District Attorney, Nathan Hochman, has vowed to thoroughly review all available evidence before making a decision on whether to support the resentencing of the Menendez brothers. This comes after outgoing DA George Gascón recommended the brothers be resentenced and immediately eligible for parole.

Hochman, who takes office in December, has expressed skepticism about the timing of Gascón’s recommendation, suggesting it may have been politically motivated. “There’s a cloud over that credibility. Is it a just decision, or was it just a political ploy?” he said.

Hochman has committed to a thorough review of the case, including trial transcripts, confidential prison files, and interviews with family, lawyers, and law enforcement. He plans to make his own independent assessment, stating, “What these files say is too important an issue to delegate to somebody else. I need to actually do the work myself.”

The Menendez brothers, who were convicted in 1996 for the murder of their parents, have been serving life sentences without parole. However, Gascón’s recommendation for resentencing, based on their behavior in prison and the alleged abuse they suffered as children, has reopened the case.

The brothers’ case has garnered renewed attention following the release of a Netflix series and documentary, prompting a new generation to advocate for their release. Hochman, however, cautions against relying solely on popular media, stating, “If you decide this case based on just reviewing a Netflix documentary, you’re doing a disservice to the Menendez brothers, to the victims’ family members, to the public.”

The next hearing on the resentencing case is scheduled for December 11th. Hochman, a former federal prosecutor, has assured the public that he will take his time to make a well-informed decision, emphasizing, “We owe it to the Menendez brothers, we owe it to the victim family members, we owe it to the public to get this decision right.”

Beyond resentencing, the brothers are also seeking clemency from California Governor Gavin Newsom and have filed a habeas corpus petition, citing new evidence of abuse they endured from their father. The next hearing for the habeas corpus petition is scheduled for November 25th.

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