The County Dist. Atty. Nathan Hochman is opposed to a new trial for the Menendez brothers, but the incarcerated brothers and sisters say that this will not prevent them from putting pressure for another opportunity to defend themselves in court.
The brothers were sentenced to life prison without parole for the 1989 killings of their parents in their manor by Beverly Hills. Last year, the brothers’ defense team launched a new effort to release them by filing a Habeas Corpus petition arguing that new proofs have strengthened the allegations that the brothers were sexually abused by their father.
But last month, Hochman announced that he had opposed a new trial and urges the court to refuse the petition.
Hochman said that the act of murder was the question of conviction, not allegations of sexual abuse. The brothers should have had an imminent fear that their parents kill them about revelations of sexual abuse so that murders were considered to be self-defense, he added.
Tuesday, Lyle Menendez wrote on social networks that the brothers intend to challenge Hochman’s opposition to the trial.
“We are going to submit our refutation to his erroneous and erroneous response to the Habeas (corpus) petition, and this fight will continue,” wrote Lyle.
In the initial case, the prosecutors argued that the murders were motivated by the desire of the boys to obtain their heritage of $ 14 million, while the defense team argued that they were acting in self -defense after years of sexual abuse by their father, Jose Menendez.
Now, defense lawyers say they have new evidence, including a letter that Erik Menendez wrote about the sexual abuses he endured in adolescence before committing murders. Lawyers also highlight the new claims presented by Roy Rosselló, a former member of the Group of Boys Menodo, who said he was also raped by Jose Menendez.
Even if the brothers are unable to overcome Hochman’s opposition to a new trial, they still have two other ways to win their freedom. Governor Gavin Newsom could grant them leniency, or a judge could have them, which immediately makes them eligible for parole.
Hochman said he would not prevent a judge from moving forward with a renowned hearing.
The brothers’ hearing was scheduled for March 20 to 21. This week, however, it was announced that the hearing was postponed to an unknown date.
Last week, Newsom ordered the Power Liberation Board of Directors to launch a risk assessment survey on the question of whether Erik and Lyle Menendez would present an unreasonable risk for public security if they were released.
“All those involved recognize the importance of waiting for the results of the risk assessment, as initiated by Governor Newsom,” wrote Lyle Menendez on social networks in response to the hearing. “Come on, be patient and keep the faith.”
California Daily Newspapers
