Menendez brothers' fight for freedom falters as DA shuts down retrial bid

The Menendez brothers were denied a new trial after DA ruled their newly surfaced abuse claims lacked evidence.

The Los Angeles District Attorney has denied Erik and Lyle Menendez a new trial, blocking one of their potential paths to freedom more than 30 years after their conviction for the brutal murder of their wealthy parents.

DA Nathan Hochman announced his decision on Friday, dismissing newly surfaced claims of sexual abuse by their father, José Menendez, as lacking sufficient corroboration. The brothers had argued that evidence, including a 1988 note from Erik detailing abuse and a claim from a former Menudo band member that José also molested him, warranted a retrial.

Hochman, however, remained unconvinced, pointing out inconsistencies in the brothers' narratives. “They testified in detail about the alleged abuse, but corroborating evidence was extremely lacking,” he said. He also noted that the self-defense claim emerged only after three different versions of the crime had been presented.

Despite this setback, Erik and Lyle Menendez still have other legal avenues, including a motion for resentencing, a gubernatorial pardon, and a push for parole based on rehabilitation and good behavior. Hochman clarified that while rehabilitation is not relevant to the motion for a new trial, it could play a role in future proceedings.

The brothers, convicted in the 1990s for shooting their parents execution-style in their Beverly Hills mansion, initially claimed a mob hit before their lavish spending drew police scrutiny. Their case regained attention after Netflix's 2024 documentary Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, which reignited public debate and prompted pleas from family members for reconsideration.

Hochman’s stance marks a shift from his predecessor, George Gascón, who had shown some sympathy toward the case. However, Gascón’s recent electoral defeat and delays caused by LA's January wildfires have further complicated the Menendez brothers' legal battle.