Latest news with #LosAngelesDistrictAttorney'sOffice
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Yahoo
Menendez brothers resentencing: Los Angeles DA asks for delay before high-stakes hearing
The Los Angeles District Attorney's Office filed a request late Wednesday to delay Thursday's resentencing hearing for Erik and Lyle Menendez, according to reports. District Attorney Nathan Hochman's office said in the filing that the resentencing hearings, set for Thursday and Friday, should be put on hold until the court obtains copies of comprehensive risk assessments for the brothers that were completed by state prison and parole officers, NBC News reported. California Gov. Gavin Newsom's office told Fox News in response that the comprehensive risk assessment is ongoing and will be completed on June 13, 2025. Per California legal regulations, one component of it has been released to the involved parties for their review 60 days before the clemency hearing and is subject to correction, his office said. Newsom's office said it notified Judge Michael Jesic of the status of this report, which is not a stand-alone risk assessment, and offered to share it with the court if he requests it. It was not immediately clear if the DA's filing would affect Thursday's hearing, which is scheduled to start at 9:30 a.m. local time. Menendez Brothers' Family Accuses Da Of Violating Victim Protection Law After Showing Graphic Photo In Court The Menendez brothers' discussed their push for freedom, decades after their parents' brutal murders, in a recent interview with TMZ. Read On The Fox News App In the feature, "TMZ Presents: The Menendez Brothers: The Prison Interview," both brothers were interviewed and discussed how prison has changed them and how they envision life outside of prison walls. "We're very hopeful, we've done what we can with the time we've had," Lyle Menendez said in the interview. "Hope for the future is kind of a new thing for us," he continued. The scenes then show a young Erik and Lyle and the grisly crime scene they left behind in their Beverly Hills mansion in 1989 after killing their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez. "It was almost the perfect murder," said former Beverly Hills Police Detective Tom Linehan. Now, more than 35 years later, the fate of the brothers lies in the hands of a Los Angeles County judge, who legal experts say will have to answer two simple questions: Do Erik and Lyle pose an unreasonable risk to the public, and does he believe they have rehabilitated? Linehan unequivocally said he would not trust them and what they did was the "worst, most heinous murder case" he has ever seen. Los Angeles Da Slams Menendez Brothers For 'Bunker Of Lies' Ahead Of Fight Against Reduced Sentences "They are two of the most skilled liars and their notary is what sets them apart from other inmates in similar situations," Linehan said. "If things weren't going their way, they could do this again." Hochman has also said he does not agree with the resentencing but is prepared to move forward. Hochman has said that it is up to the court to factor in whether the "lack of acceptance of responsibility for their murderous actions" is enough to decide whether the Menendez brothers pose an unreasonable risk of danger to the community. Menendez Brothers Resentencing: What Happens Next? "Though this pathway to resentencing has been offered to the Menendez brothers, they have chosen to stubbornly remain hunkered down in their over 30-year-old bunker of lies, deceit and denials," Hochman said. However, family and other supporters of the Menendez brothers argued they have paid their dues and have changed. Follow The Fox True Crime Team On X A former inmate, rapper X-Rated, who served 18 years with Lyle and Erik, said they do not belong in prison, even claiming his neighbor's dog was more dangerous than the Menendez brothers. He added that they have helped him and many others get out of prison and rehabilitate in society, showing selflessness, knowing they had "no chance" of getting out while they were helping others. GET REAL-TIME UPDATES DIRECTLY ON THE True Crime Hub "The fact they did all this without getting anything in return says a lot," the rapper said. Lyle said that he and Erik have developed a peace and patience that most people would not understand. Erik admitted they were "spoiled brats" and that he suffered from severe insecurity issues. He added that he wants to be an advocate for other sexually abused victims, saying that "no one should have to be trapped" like he was. Both Lyle and Erik Menendez have come forward in documentaries and on social media claiming their father sexually abused them, offering a different narrative of the killings than the story their attorneys told in the 1990s. Watch On Fox Nation: Menendez Brothers: Victims Or Villains? They maintain they killed their parents in self-defense. Their first trial ended in a mistrial, when jurors could not agree on their fate. After a second trial in the mid-1990s, in which some of their evidence about the alleged sexual abuse was excluded, jurors agreed with prosecutors that their motive was greed. If the judge decides to resentence the Menendez brothers, it will then be up to the state parole board to consider their release. SIGN UP TO GET True Crime Newsletter Because they were under 26 years old at the time of the murders, under current California law, new sentences of 50 years to life would immediately make them eligible for a parole hearing. They are already scheduled to appear before the board on June 13 as part of a comprehensive risk assessment report ordered by Newsom, who is considering the brothers' clemency request – a separate potential path out of prison. Fox News' Michael Ruiz and Melissa Chrise contributed to this report. Original article source: Menendez brothers resentencing: Los Angeles DA asks for delay before high-stakes hearing
Fox News
17-04-2025
- Fox News
Menendez brothers resentencing: Los Angeles DA asks for delay before high-stakes hearing
The Los Angeles District Attorney's Office filed a request late Wednesday to delay Thursday's resentencing hearing for Erik and Lyle Menendez, according to reports. District Attorney Nathan Hochman's office said in the filing that the resentencing hearings, set for Thursday and Friday, should be put on hold until the court obtains copies of comprehensive risk assessments for the brothers that were completed by state prison and parole officers, NBC News reported. California Gov. Gavin Newsom's office told Fox News in response that the comprehensive risk assessment is ongoing and will be completed on June 13, 2025. Per California legal regulations, one component of it has been released to the involved parties for their review 60 days before the clemency hearing and is subject to correction, his office said. Newsom's office said it notified Judge Michael Jesic of the status of this report, which is not a stand-alone risk assessment, and offered to share it with the court if he requests it. It was not immediately clear if the DA's filing would affect Thursday's hearing, which is scheduled to start at 9:30 a.m. local time. The Menendez brothers' discussed their push for freedom, decades after their parents' brutal murders, in a recent interview with TMZ. In the feature, "TMZ Presents: The Menendez Brothers: The Prison Interview," both brothers were interviewed and discussed how prison has changed them and how they envision life outside of prison walls. "We're very hopeful, we've done what we can with the time we've had," Lyle Menendez said in the interview. "Hope for the future is kind of a new thing for us," he continued. The scenes then show a young Erik and Lyle and the grisly crime scene they left behind in their Beverly Hills mansion in 1989 after killing their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez. "It was almost the perfect murder," said former Beverly Hills Police Detective Tom Linehan. Now, more than 35 years later, the fate of the brothers lies in the hands of a Los Angeles County judge, who legal experts say will have to answer two simple questions: Do Erik and Lyle pose an unreasonable risk to the public, and does he believe they have rehabilitated? Linehan unequivocally said he would not trust them and what they did was the "worst, most heinous murder case" he has ever seen. "They are two of the most skilled liars and their notary is what sets them apart from other inmates in similar situations," Linehan said. "If things weren't going their way, they could do this again." Hochman has also said he does not agree with the resentencing but is prepared to move forward. Hochman has said that it is up to the court to factor in whether the "lack of acceptance of responsibility for their murderous actions" is enough to decide whether the Menendez brothers pose an unreasonable risk of danger to the community. "Though this pathway to resentencing has been offered to the Menendez brothers, they have chosen to stubbornly remain hunkered down in their over 30-year-old bunker of lies, deceit and denials," Hochman said. However, family and other supporters of the Menendez brothers argued they have paid their dues and have changed. A former inmate, rapper X-Rated, who served 18 years with Lyle and Erik, said they do not belong in prison, even claiming his neighbor's dog was more dangerous than the Menendez brothers. He added that they have helped him and many others get out of prison and rehabilitate in society, showing selflessness, knowing they had "no chance" of getting out while they were helping others. GET REAL-TIME UPDATES DIRECTLY ON THE TRUE CRIME HUB "The fact they did all this without getting anything in return says a lot," the rapper said. Lyle said that he and Erik have developed a peace and patience that most people would not understand. Erik admitted they were "spoiled brats" and that he suffered from severe insecurity issues. He added that he wants to be an advocate for other sexually abused victims, saying that "no one should have to be trapped" like he was. Both Lyle and Erik Menendez have come forward in documentaries and on social media claiming their father sexually abused them, offering a different narrative of the killings than the story their attorneys told in the 1990s. They maintain they killed their parents in self-defense. Their first trial ended in a mistrial, when jurors could not agree on their fate. After a second trial in the mid-1990s, in which some of their evidence about the alleged sexual abuse was excluded, jurors agreed with prosecutors that their motive was greed. If the judge decides to resentence the Menendez brothers, it will then be up to the state parole board to consider their release. SIGN UP TO GET TRUE CRIME NEWSLETTER Because they were under 26 years old at the time of the murders, under current California law, new sentences of 50 years to life would immediately make them eligible for a parole hearing. They are already scheduled to appear before the board on June 13 as part of a comprehensive risk assessment report ordered by Newsom, who is considering the brothers' clemency request – a separate potential path out of prison. Stepheny Price is a writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business. She covers topics including missing persons, homicides, national crime cases, illegal immigration, and more. Story tips and ideas can be sent to
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Yahoo
Menendez brothers' aunt hospitalized after DA shares graphic photos in court: 'There was no warning'
An elderly aunt of Lyle and Erik Menendez is in intensive care after prosecutors showed graphic crime scene images during the brothers' hearing on Friday, according to a spokesperson for the family. The Justice for Erik and Lyle Coalition, a family-led initiative advocating for the release of the brothers, is calling for immediate accountability and oversight following a "disturbing and reckless decision" by the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office during Friday's court hearing that sent Terry Baralt, 85, to the hospital. "We are devastated to share that Terry Baralt has been hospitalized and is in critical condition following the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office's cruel and careless conduct in court," a statement from the family read. "No physical pain has ever kept her from being there for her nephews. But the display put on by the DA's office pushed her past the brink." Baralt, who is Jose Menendez's sister, is battling colon cancer, but traveled from her home in New Jersey to Los Angeles to support her nephews at their hearing, where the family said she was forced to witness graphic images, including her brother's body. Los Angeles Da Slams Menendez Brothers For 'Bunker Of Lies' Ahead Of Fight Against Reduced Sentences "Without notice, prosecutors chose to show a graphic, unredacted image of José's dead body directly in front of us, his surviving family. No one prepared us. There was no warning, no humanity – just shock and pain inflicted on people who have already endured decades of grief," the statement continued. Read On The Fox News App The family spokesperson shared with Fox News Digital that Baralt remains in critical condition at a Los Angeles hospital. The Menendez family has also called for the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office to be removed from the case after showing the graphic images, saying their use of the photo violated California's Marsy's Law, which they noted "guarantees victims the right to be treated with fairness and respect for their privacy and dignity, and free from intimidation, harassment, and abuse throughout the criminal justice process." "This wasn't just cruel. It was a clear violation of our rights," the family wrote. "The display was retraumatizing, completely avoidable, and we believe it was intentional. The District Attorney's Office knew what the law required and deliberately chose to ignore it. We are holding them fully responsible for the profound pain we are suffering right now. The shock and heartbreak we feel cannot be put into words." If Menendez Brothers Admit To 'Lies,' Los Angeles Da May Reconsider Resentencing Motion To Free Them: Report Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman's office shared a statement with Fox News Digital saying that prosecutors did not intend to "cause distress or pain" to those in attendance at the hearing. "To the extent that the photographic depiction of this conduct upset any of the Menendez family members present in court, we apologize for not giving prior warning that the conduct would be described in detail not only in words but also through a crime scene photo," Hochman's office wrote. Hochman's office also explained that the Menendez brothers' decision to file a habeas petition in 2023 and a request for clemency and resentencing in 2024 was "certainly going to trigger emotions for all those concerned in a case after staying dormant for over 18 years." "We never intend to cause distress or pain to individuals who attend a court hearing," Hochman's office said. "We understand the nature of the evidence of these heinous double murders was deeply emotional. However, by design, these hearings are intended to be a place where the truth, no matter how painful, is brought to light. That truth starts with the abject brutality and premeditation of the murders themselves." California Gov Newsom Sets Menendez Brothers Parole Board Hearing Date In Bid For Clemency LA County Superior Court Judge Michael Jesic handed down a win to the Menendez brothers during Friday's hearing, deciding against withdrawing their petition for a new trial. The decision comes after District Attorney Nathan Hochman told reporters on March 10 that he was seeking to withdraw former District Attorney George Gascon's motion for a resentencing hearing, which he filed days before losing re-election. Resentencing proceedings will continue on April 17 and 18, Jesic said. Follow The Fox True Crime Team On X The Menendez brothers and their supporters have been pushing for a resentencing hearing, saying the brothers were unfairly convicted to life in prison in 1996 for murdering their two parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez, in their Beverly Hills home in 1989. Both Lyle and Erik Menendez have since come forward in documentaries and on social media claiming their father sexually abused them, offering a different narrative of the killings than the story their attorneys told in the 1990s. Menendez Brothers Resentencing: What Happens Next? Hochman previously told ABC News that he would consider resentencing both brothers "sincerely and unequivocally admit, for the first time in over 30 years, the full range of their criminal activity and all the lies that they have told about it." SIGN UP TO GET True Crime Newsletter The district attorney wrote in his motion that he believes the Menendez brothers "have repeatedly lied about the case, their parents, and their interactions with witnesses." GET REAL-TIME UPDATES DIRECTLY ON THE True Crime Hub Their first trial ended in a mistrial, when jurors couldn't agree on their fate. After a second trial in the mid-1990s, in which some of their evidence about the alleged sexual abuse was excluded, jurors agreed with prosecutors that their motive was greed. Watch On Fox Nation: Menendez Brothers: Victims Or Villains? If the judge decides to resentence the Menendez brothers, it will then be up to the state parole board to consider their release. They are already scheduled to appear before the board on June 13 as part of a comprehensive risk assessment report ordered by California Governor Gavin Newsom, who is considering the brothers' clemency request – a separate potential path out of prison. Fox News Digital's Michael Ruiz and Audrey Conklin contributed to this report. Original article source: Menendez brothers' aunt hospitalized after DA shares graphic photos in court: 'There was no warning'
Fox News
15-04-2025
- Fox News
Menendez brothers' aunt hospitalized after DA shares graphic photos in court: 'There was no warning'
An elderly aunt of Lyle and Erik Menendez is in intensive care after prosecutors showed graphic crime scene images during the brothers' hearing on Friday, according to a spokesperson for the family. The Justice for Erik and Lyle Coalition, a family-led initiative advocating for the release of the brothers, is calling for immediate accountability and oversight following a "disturbing and reckless decision" by the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office during Friday's court hearing that sent Terry Baralt, 85, to the hospital. "We are devastated to share that Terry Baralt has been hospitalized and is in critical condition following the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office's cruel and careless conduct in court," a statement from the family read. "No physical pain has ever kept her from being there for her nephews. But the display put on by the DA's office pushed her past the brink." Baralt, who is Jose Menendez's sister, is battling colon cancer, but traveled from her home in New Jersey to Los Angeles to support her nephews at their hearing, where the family said she was forced to witness graphic images, including her brother's body. "Without notice, prosecutors chose to show a graphic, unredacted image of José's dead body directly in front of us, his surviving family. No one prepared us. There was no warning, no humanity – just shock and pain inflicted on people who have already endured decades of grief," the statement continued. The family spokesperson shared with Fox News Digital that Baralt remains in critical condition at a Los Angeles hospital. The Menendez family has also called for the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office to be removed from the case after showing the graphic images, saying their use of the photo violated California's Marsy's Law, which they noted "guarantees victims the right to be treated with fairness and respect for their privacy and dignity, and free from intimidation, harassment, and abuse throughout the criminal justice process." "This wasn't just cruel. It was a clear violation of our rights," the family wrote. "The display was retraumatizing, completely avoidable, and we believe it was intentional. The District Attorney's Office knew what the law required and deliberately chose to ignore it. We are holding them fully responsible for the profound pain we are suffering right now. The shock and heartbreak we feel cannot be put into words." Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman's office shared a statement with Fox News Digital saying that prosecutors did not intend to "cause distress or pain" to those in attendance at the hearing. "To the extent that the photographic depiction of this conduct upset any of the Menendez family members present in court, we apologize for not giving prior warning that the conduct would be described in detail not only in words but also through a crime scene photo," Hochman's office wrote. Hochman's office also explained that the Menendez brothers' decision to file a habeas petition in 2023 and a request for clemency and resentencing in 2024 was "certainly going to trigger emotions for all those concerned in a case after staying dormant for over 18 years." "We never intend to cause distress or pain to individuals who attend a court hearing," Hochman's office said. "We understand the nature of the evidence of these heinous double murders was deeply emotional. However, by design, these hearings are intended to be a place where the truth, no matter how painful, is brought to light. That truth starts with the abject brutality and premeditation of the murders themselves." LA County Superior Court Judge Michael Jesic handed down a win to the Menendez brothers during Friday's hearing, deciding against withdrawing their petition for a new trial. The decision comes after District Attorney Nathan Hochman told reporters on March 10 that he was seeking to withdraw former District Attorney George Gascon's motion for a resentencing hearing, which he filed days before losing re-election. Resentencing proceedings will continue on April 17 and 18, Jesic said. The Menendez brothers and their supporters have been pushing for a resentencing hearing, saying the brothers were unfairly convicted to life in prison in 1996 for murdering their two parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez, in their Beverly Hills home in 1989. Both Lyle and Erik Menendez have since come forward in documentaries and on social media claiming their father sexually abused them, offering a different narrative of the killings than the story their attorneys told in the 1990s. Hochman previously told ABC News that he would consider resentencing both brothers "sincerely and unequivocally admit, for the first time in over 30 years, the full range of their criminal activity and all the lies that they have told about it." SIGN UP TO GET TRUE CRIME NEWSLETTER The district attorney wrote in his motion that he believes the Menendez brothers "have repeatedly lied about the case, their parents, and their interactions with witnesses." GET REAL-TIME UPDATES DIRECTLY ON THE TRUE CRIME HUB Their first trial ended in a mistrial, when jurors couldn't agree on their fate. After a second trial in the mid-1990s, in which some of their evidence about the alleged sexual abuse was excluded, jurors agreed with prosecutors that their motive was greed. If the judge decides to resentence the Menendez brothers, it will then be up to the state parole board to consider their release. They are already scheduled to appear before the board on June 13 as part of a comprehensive risk assessment report ordered by California Governor Gavin Newsom, who is considering the brothers' clemency request – a separate potential path out of prison. Stepheny Price is a writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business. She covers topics including missing persons, homicides, national crime cases, illegal immigration, and more. Story tips and ideas can be sent to
CBS News
14-04-2025
- CBS News
Menendez brothers' family blames LA County DA Hochman after their aunt is hospitalized
The family of Lyle and Erik Menendez are blaming Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman as their aunt was hospitalized after seeing graphic crime scene images during a court session on Friday. "We are devastated to share that Terry Baralt – who is a mother, an aunt to many of us, and José Menendez's sister – has been hospitalized and is in critical condition following the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office's cruel and careless conduct in court," the statement said. They say that prosecutors displayed a graphic image of her brother's body without warning, which "retraumatized family members" who were in attendance. "No one prepared us. There was no warning, no humanity – just shock and pain inflicted on people who have already endured decades of grief. Terry, who is battling cancer, came to court to support her family," the family's statement said. "No physical pain has ever kept her from being there for her nephews. But the display put on by the DA's office pushed her past the brink." Their lawyer, Bryan Freedman, is now alleging that the display was a violation of the family's rights under Marsy's Law , which requires that victims be treated fairly and with respect and empathy. "What happened was the opposite," the family said. "The display was retraumatizing, completely avoidable, and we believe it was intentional. The District Attorney's Office knew what the law required and deliberately chose to ignore it." They allege that Deputy District Attorney Habib Ballan did not apologize for showing the image, but rather treated them and their attorneys with "staggering" disrespect, and that it's part of a "disturbing pattern we've come to expect." They also claim to have been repeatedly treated with "aggression and disdain" by Hochman . Related: Despite legal setbacks, Menendez brothers state belief they'll still see freedom during in-jail interview The family further noted that their forgiveness for Erik and Lyle does not "erase" the grief they have suffered in the years since the killings. Erik and Lyle Menendez shot and killed their parents , José and Kitty, in 1989. The brothers have admitted to their murders, but continue to fight their lifetime sentences, alleging that they suffered years of abuse and that the act was one of self-defense. The pair have remained behind bars for three decades. Last year, former LA County District Attorney George Gascón filed a motion in favor of their resentencing and granting them the possibility to be paroled. Friday's hearing was scheduled after Hochman, who took office following his election in November, asked a judge to withdraw the motion for resentencing after he reviewed the case. Ultimately, the judge ruled in the Menendez's favor , allowing the resentencing hearing to move forward. "We are taking formal action and demanding that the District Attorney's Office be removed from this case," the family statement said. "They have shown again and again that they are incapable of handling this process with the fairness, care, or neutrality required by law. Instead, they have been determined to make this personal, and they have." The District Attorney's Office shared a statement on Sunday afternoon. "We never intend to cause distress or pain to individuals who attend a court hearing. We understand the nature of the evidence of these heinous double murders was deeply emotional," the statement read, in part. "However, by design, these hearings are intended to be a place where the truth, no matter how painful, is brought to light. That truth starts with the abject brutality and premeditation of the murders themselves." The statement continued to say, "To the extent that the photographic depiction of this conduct upset any of the Menendez family members present in court, we apologize for not giving prior warning that the conduct would be described in detail not only in words but also through a crime scene photo. ... We remain committed to ensuring future proceedings move forward with the dignity, respect and transparency this case deserves. We caution anyone attending a hearing in person to be prepared for some of the difficult details and images surrounding these tragic circumstances." The resentencing hearing is scheduled to continue on Friday, April 18.
