Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman has responded to a request for him to step aside in the resentencing case involving convicted murderers Erik and Lyle Menendez, describing the attempt as “a drastic and desperate step.”
Hochman submitted his response on Friday, stating that the Menendez brothers seek to enforce a recusal merely due to their dissatisfaction with his office’s general stance on resentencing.
“The District Attorney’s Office contends in the opposition that the defense is taking a ‘drastic and desperate step’ by choosing to ‘sidestep the central issue of resentencing’ with an argument ‘devoid of merit’ aimed at recusing the entire District Attorney’s Office,” Hochman stated. “The crux of the defense’s argument on recusal is the defense’s discontent with the current District Attorney’s approach to resentencing. Although this desperate tactic might suit a press statement, it lacks substance in a courtroom governed by an adversarial system of justice.”
Attorney Mark Geragos, who represents the Menendez brothers, wrote in an April 25 motion that Hochman should recuse himself because of a “conflict of interest.” In that filing, Geragos wrote that Hochman “has a very different view” on resentencing.
One family member, however, objected to the resentencing and filed an amicus brief in opposition through his attorney, Kathleen Cady.
When Hochman won his election against Gascon, Geragos claimed that Theberge and Lunsford were intentionally reassigned because they were viewed as sympathetic to the Menendez brothers. Geragos also claimed that Hochman hired Cady, the attorney who represented the only Menendez family member against resentencing, to lead the district attorney’s Office of Victims’ Services.
A hearing is scheduled for Friday, where Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Michael Jesic will preside.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman talks about the resentencing of Erik and Lyle Menendez for the murders of their parents decades ago during a news conference in downtown Los Angeles, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (Damian Dovarganes/AP Photo)
The Menendez brothers are currently serving a life sentence without parole after killing their parents, Mary “Kitty” Menendez and Jose Menendez, in 1989 after they were allegedly sexually abused for years by their father.
Fox News Digital reached out to Geragos for comment.
Fox News Digital’s Peter D’Abrosca contributed to this report.
