Following the success of Netflix’s ‘Monsters: The Erik and Lyle Menendez Story’, public interest in the Menendez brothers has surged. Social media platforms like TikTok have fueled discussions about their guilt, increasing attention on their retrial.
On Monday, Governor Newsom announced that he is postponing his decision on the Menendez brothers’ clemency case to allow incoming District Attorney Nathan Hochman, a former federal prosecutor, more time to review the matter. Los Angeles will have a new district attorney next month, and Newsom has decided to wait until Hochman takes office before proceeding with the high-profile case.
Erik and Lyle Menendez were convicted of murdering their parents in the 1990s and sentenced to life in prison. The Ryan Murphy-produced Netflix series has stirred controversy for its dramatic portrayal of the brothers’ relationship and the decisions regarding its narrative.
But efforts to re-sentence Erik and Lyle Menendez, now in their 50s, have also raised interest, with outgoing District Attorney George Gascón citing public feedback as a key factor in his decision to support clemency.
“The Governor respects the role of the District Attorney in ensuring justice is served and recognizes that voters have entrusted District Attorney-elect Hochman to carry out this responsibility,” read Newsom’s statement on Monday. “The Governor will defer to the D.A.-elect’s review and analysis of the Menendez case prior to making any clemency decisions.”
Hochman said in a statement on Monday confirming his intent to thoroughly review the case once he takes office on December 3.
“Once I take office on Dec. 3, I look forward to putting in the hard work to thoroughly review the facts and law of the Menendez case, including reviewing the confidential prison files, the transcripts of the two trials and the voluminous exhibits, as well as speaking with the prosecutors, defense attorneys and victim family members,” he said.
Public support for the Menendez brothers has grown significantly in recent years, particularly on TikTok, where discussions of new evidence and emerging victim accounts have bolstered their claims of sexual abuse. The brothers allege that their father, RCA executive José Menendez, sexually abused them while their mother, Kitty Menendez, subjected them to verbal and emotional abuse and failed to stop the assaults.
The story has also been revisited in Netflix’s documentary ‘The Menendez Brothers’ and Peacock’s recent documentary co-directed by trial journalist Robert Rand. The Peacock documentary features a member of the 1980s boy band Menudo, who claims to be another victim of José Menendez. Rand also uncovered a letter Lyle Menendez wrote to his cousin before the murders, detailing the abuse. In their second trial, testimony about the alleged abuse was largely excluded.
Gascón has publicly stated that his office received numerous calls for the Menendez brothers’ release after the Netflix series aired. He accelerated the review process, stating that their case deserved a second look. Newsom recently acknowledged on the Politickin’ podcast that the Netflix series influenced his decision to give the case serious consideration.
