LA DA rejects Menendez brothers' recusal push in resentencing, calls it a 'drastic and desperate step'
Share and Follow

Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman responded to a request for recusal in the resentencing case of convicted murderers Erik and Lyle Menendez, calling the move a “drastic and desperate step.”

Hochman filed the response on Friday, arguing that the Menendez brothers are trying to force a recusal simply because they’re unhappy with the district attorney’s overall stance on resentencing.

“In the opposition, the District Attorney’s Office has argued that in a ‘drastic and desperate step,’ the defense has decided to ‘sidestep the central issue of resentencing’ and present an argument ‘devoid of merit’ to recuse the entire District Attorney’s Office,” Hochman said. “The entire defense argument over recusal boils down to the defense not being happy with the current District Attorney’s position on resentencing. While this desperate argument may work in a press interview, it fails in a court of law based on 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.

Nathan Hochman

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.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Suspect in brutal slaying of American Idol boss deemed unfit for trial

American Idol Executive Murder: Suspect Declared Mentally Unfit for Trial

A man accused of the tragic murder of a former American Idol…
Full story of diarrhea incident at Gwyneth Paltrow's Hamptons house

Inside Scoop: The Unforeseen Incident at Gwyneth Paltrow’s Hamptons Residence

Gwyneth Paltrow remains upset and humiliated by a disastrous incident involving a…
Sentencing for father who pleaded guilty to running over, killing 8-month-old son postponed

Sentencing Delayed for Father in Tragic Case of Infant Son’s Death

During the sentencing hearing, both the prosecution and the defense shared substantial…
‘Bear attack’ story unravels as Montana man found guilty of grisly campsite murder: officials

Montana Man Convicted of Grisly Campsite Murder After Falsely Blaming Bear Attack, Officials Reveal

A Montana man with associations to white supremacist groups has been convicted…
Marine who murdered little girl, 6, to be executed in Florida

Florida to Execute Former Marine Convicted of Murdering 6-Year-Old Girl

A former Marine, found guilty of murdering a six-year-old girl over 40…
Illegal alien truck driver presses for blood samples, vehicle analysis in deadly Florida disaster

Florida Tragedy Unfolds: Illegal Alien Truck Driver Demands Crucial Evidence Examination

An undocumented truck driver, accused of triggering a fatal accident in Florida,…
Stocks have worst day in a month amid AI concerns, lower hopes for interest-rate cut

Stocks Tumble as AI Worries and Fading Interest Rate Hopes Weigh In

The Dow Jones Industrial Average plummeted nearly 800 points on Thursday as…
Newlyweds found dead days before celebrating their first anniversary as police probe possible murder-suicide

Tragic Discovery: Police Report Murder-Suicide of Newlywed Couple Days Before First Anniversary

This article covers sensitive topics related to suicide. If you or someone…