The family of Lyle and Erik Menendez expressed their hurt and disappointment after the Los Angeles district attorney denied the killer siblings a new trial, contrasting it with the support they received from former prosecutor George Gascón. The brothers’ cousin, Tamara Goodell, highlighted the difference in approach, with Gascón being more open to modern legal practices and compassionate understanding of trauma.
DA Nathan Hochman recommended denying the brothers’ retrial request, despite new evidence of alleged sexual abuse by their father, which Gascón had supported. The Menendez brothers were convicted of killing their wealthy parents in Beverly Hills in 1989 and sentenced to life without parole, becoming widely known figures.
They sought a new trial based on a note written by Erik in 1988 detailing the abuse and claims from others alleging similar experiences. Hochman argued that the corroborating evidence was insufficient for a retrial.
Despite the decision, the brothers’ family remains hopeful, especially after California Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered a risk assessment by the parole board. They believe the brothers will be deemed not a risk to public safety and released.
The family is grateful for Gov. Newsom’s attention to the case and hopes for a positive outcome. The Menendez brothers have also requested resentencing, a pardon, and eligibility for parole based on their rehabilitation efforts while incarcerated.
The case gained renewed public interest following the release of the Netflix series “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story” in 2024.
