LA prosecutors sue DA Hochman over retaliation in Menendez brothers resentencing case

Two former Los Angeles County deputy District Attorneys, Nancy Theberge and Brock Lunsford, have announced plans to sue District Attorney Nathan Hochman. They allege retaliation after being removed from the Menendez brothers’ resentencing case, which they had been advocating for before Hochman took office.

Theberge and Lunsford were pushing for the resentencing of Erik and Lyle Menendez, who are serving life sentences for the 1989 murders of their parents. Their efforts were supported by former DA George Gascon, who endorsed a reconsideration of the case. However, when Hochman assumed office, he adopted a “tough on crime” stance and reassigned the case to a new team. As a result, Theberge was transferred to a different role, and Lunsford was demoted to a non-supervisory position.

The prosecutors claim their removal from the Menendez brothers’ case was politically motivated, arguing that it was a direct consequence of their support for the resentencing. They accuse the DA's office of harassment and discrimination, particularly citing gender and age bias. Theberge also claims she was publicly defamed and accused of breaching her duty to the court. Lunsford contends he was similarly defamed and unfairly labeled "incompetent."

In their lawsuit, Theberge and Lunsford are seeking more than $250,000 in economic damages and over $5 million in non-economic damages. They have filed a legal notice in court, signaling their intention to pursue the case further.

The Justice for Erik and Lyle Coalition, representing the Menendez brothers' family, has expressed support for Theberge and Lunsford, praising their dedication to justice. The coalition criticized the DA's decision, suggesting that political motivations had compromised the fairness of the legal process.