Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman has voiced his opposition to the release of Erik and Lyle Menendez from prison. He stated that his office has presented an extensive 80-page analysis to California parole officials. This document outlines the details of how the brothers committed the brutal murder of their parents in 1989.
The siblings are going before parole panels, separately, this week. Erik Menendez, 54, was up first, and was denied parole; 57-year-old Lyle and his advocates were slated to make their case Friday, with Gov. Gavin Newsom having the ultimate say on any recommendations for release.
Hochman has said the Menendez brothers have never accepted responsibility for their actions even as supporters argue the siblings have been redeemed behind bars and helped other inmates.
Menendez parole board hears gruesome details
Prosecutors submitted dozens of pages to parole officials that provide the “full story” about the Menendez brothers, Hochman said. He said the information, in part, reflects prison records of the siblings, interviews with their family members, trial transcripts and evidence about how the pair fatally shot their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez.
“Twelve shotgun blasts that basically were staged to make it look like a mafia hit,” Hochman said, in describing the killings to “Elizabeth Vargas Reports” on Thursday. “Through the dad, through the back of his head; the mom as she lie bleeding on the ground a point-blank-range shot through the cheek. Then through the kneecaps.”
Hochman said Erik and Lyle Menendez planned the attack, buying the shotguns two days before the killings, and set up an alibi that they were out seeing “Batman” when their parents died. He pushed back at later claims the brothers made that they were sexually abused by their father, which has helped drive their recent bids for freedom.
“They did not say the reason they killed their parents was because they were sexually abused by their dad,” Hochman said of the brothers’ earlier explanation. “They said the true reason why they supposedly killed their parents was that they feared their parents were going to kill them mom and dad that night, so they had to shoot them first.”
Menendez brothers continue to lie: DA
The prosecutor said the Menendez brothers, for decades, have not told the truth about the murders.
“If they ever do it, they might be ready for parole. But they have not done it yet, and therefore we have argued are not ready for parole at this hearing,” Hochman said.
