New Los Angeles DA asks whats the point in watching Menendez brothers series upon taking over their case
New Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman has a message for fans of Erik and Lyle Menendez: don’t rush to judgment as their Dec.11 resentencing hearing approaches.Hochman, 60, told The Daily Beast he thinks many fans of the Menendez brothers’ true-crime series don’t fully understand the case.The Menendez brothers, now 53 and 56, are serving life without parole at the Richard J.
Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego, after they were convicted of murdering their parents, José and Kitty Menendez, with a shotgun in 1989.Hochman says the sudden interest in the Menendez brothers is likely because of a Netflix series and documentary about their crimes.To stay focused, the incoming DA said he hasn’t watched either. “I didn’t want to see them,” he said.
“What’s the point? I’d rather read the book.”Hochman admitted he only remembers bits and pieces of the case from 30 years ago, but that’s why he plans to carefully dig into the facts.The Menendez case is a “high priority,” Hochman told The Daily Beast.
Hochman added, “Any time a particular case gets this level of attention, it’s even that more important to get it right.”Hochman, Republican, decisively won the seat earlier this month, earning 61.46% of the vote, while Democrat incumbent George Gascón had 38.54%, according to data released from the Los Angeles County registrar’s office.He says he won’t be swayed by celebrity endorsements, including from personality Kim Kardashian and actor Cooper Koch, who played Erik Menendez in the Netflix series.Before leaving office, Gascón asked a judge to reduce the brothers’ charges to manslaughter, which some say was a move to help his reelection campaign. Some superfans also hoped that the brothers could be released as soon as Thanksgiving after filing a habeas corpus petition in May of last year with a hearing scheduled for Nov.26, but their resentencing hearing is set for December 11.
Hochman is expected to reque...