The attorney for the Menendez brothers plans to petition for a case transfer, citing a conflict of interest amid a change in prosecutors.
Los Angeles: The push to free Erik and Lyle Menendez is heating up again. Their lawyer is planning to file a petition to move their case to the California attorney general’s office. This comes as they await a resentencing hearing early next year.
The attorney represents 24 family members of the Menendez parents, who support the brothers’ release. They’re citing a conflict of interest with the current Los Angeles county prosecutors.
This situation is getting more complicated with a new district attorney stepping in. The previous DA, George Gascón, was open to reviewing the brothers’ case, but he lost the recent election.
Erik and Lyle have been in prison for 35 years, claiming they acted out of fear after suffering abuse. They argue that their actions were self-defense, not motivated by money, as prosecutors suggested.
There’s been a lot of public interest lately, especially after a Netflix documentary brought new attention to their story. It also revealed more about their father’s alleged abusive behavior.
The new DA, Nathan Hochman, is independent and might not be as sympathetic to the brothers’ case. He’s promised to review all the evidence, which has some people worried.
Bryan Freedman, the lawyer for the family members supporting the brothers, has accused Hochman of playing politics. He believes the family members deserve a chance to share their experiences with the new DA.
Freedman emphasized that these family members are victims too. They’ve lost loved ones and have seen the brothers change over the years.
The Menendez brothers’ case has a long history, with their first trial ending in a mistrial. The second trial found them guilty, but some evidence about their past abuse was not allowed in court.
Hochman has said that Erik was able to testify about the abuse he faced, but Freedman argues that many witnesses who could have supported their claims were not allowed to speak.
Despite the push for a transfer, Hochman’s office has dismissed the idea of a conflict of interest as unfounded. They’ve invited family members to discuss their concerns before any final decisions are made.
