The cousin of the brothers Menendez calls in hostile “,” condescendent “, asks for his withdrawal from the case
A cousin of Lyle and Erik Menendez criticized the district prosecutor of the County of Los Angeles, Nathan Hochman, accusing him of being “hostile, disdainful and condescending” to the family and asking him to be withdrawn from the case.
The cousin, Tamara Goodell, said that Hochman’s conduct “eroded any remaining confidence” in the DA office and that it wants the case to be given to the Office of the Attorney General.
During the January 2 meeting of Hochman with more than 20 members of the Menendez family who want the brothers to liberate, relatives emotionally shared their “trauma and suffering in progress,” said Goodell in a letter last week to the Division of Civil Rights of the Office of the American Prosecutor. But she said that Hochman “proceeded verbally and emotionally re-traumatization by making us ashamed for not having listened to her public press points”.
This combination of two booking photos provided by the California Department of Corrections Watch Erik Menendez, on the left, and Lyle Menendez.
California DEPT. of Corrections via AP
The “hostile, disdainful and condescending tone of Hochman created an intimidating and intimidating atmosphere, leaving us, the victims, more in distress and feeling humiliated,” she said.
Goodell alleged that Hochman focused on how he had been treated rather than the victims.
“The lack of compassion was palpable, and the family suggested not only ignored but intimidated and revised,” she said.
Goodell cited his rights as a victim under Marsy law – the declaration of California’s rights for the victims – noting specifically that it stipulates that a victim has the right to “be treated with equity and” free of intimidation, harassment and abuse “.
One day after this first meeting with Hochman, Goodell said that she and her son had met Hochman, other DA office prosecutors, brothers’ lawyer and family lawyer – and she said that she had left this meeting “ignored and lack of respect”.
Goodell said that when she expressed concerns about the impartiality of the DA office, Hochman “has become agitated, disdaining and aggressive”.
The Los Angeles District Prosecutor Nathan Hochman speaks outside the Hall of Justice in Los Angeles on December 3, 2024.
Frederic J. Brown / AFP via Getty Images
GOODELL said his son had witnessed the “abusive, lowering and non -professional driving of the DA, further aggravating the emotional assessment of our family”.
Goodell also alleged that Hochman said that brothers’ lawyer “had represented” horrible people “.” This inappropriate remark has strengthened his bias, “said Goodell.
In addition to asking Hochman to be removed and the case given to the Office of the Attorney General, Goodell said that she wanted Hochman “held responsible for her behavior.
She said that she also wanted Kathleen Cady – who was appointed by Hochman as director of the DA Victims Service Office – was withdrawn from the case and “a new impartial representative” assigned to victim services.
Cady was previously the lawyer for Milton Anderson, that of Menendez, pushing to keep the brothers in prison. Anderson died last week.
Goodell said that when she raised her concerns about Cady at the second January meeting, “Hochman coldly rejected me” and “interrupted me, speaking in a condescending and hostile manner”.
Hochman said in January that Cady was “enclosed by the Menendez affair”.
The DA refused to comment on Goodell’s letter.
The Menendez brothers are serving for life without the possibility of parole for the murders of 1989 of their parents Jose and Kitty Menendez. Lyle and Erik Menendez, who were 21st and 18, respectively, at the time, admitted the murders but said that they had acted in self -defense after having hardened years of sexual abuse by their father.
Lyle, on the left, and Erik Menendez sit at the municipal court of Beverly Hills where their lawyers delayed to plead on behalf of the signs suspected in the murders of their parents on March 12, 1990.
Nick UT / AP
The brothers pursue three possible ways towards freedom.
One is a mercy request to the Governor of California Gavin Newsom. The governor announced in February that he ordered the commission of parole to conduct a 90 -day risk assessment survey on the question of whether the brothers present “an unreasonable risk for the public” if they are granted to leniency and released.
Another way is a petition in Habeas Corpus that the brothers filed in 2023 for an examination of two new evidence not presented at the trial. Hochman in February asked the court to refuse the petition of Habeas Corpus, arguing that the new proof was not credible or eligible, and saying that their allegations of sexual assault did not justify killing their parents in self -defense.
The third is resentment.
In October, the District Prosecutor of the county of the time, George Gascón, announced that he recommended the perpetuity condemnation of the brothers without the possibility of parole, and they should rather be condemned for murder, which would be a 50 -year sentence. Because the two brothers were under 26 years old at the time of the crimes, they would be immediately eligible for parole with the new sentence.
The DA office said that its renowned recommendations that he is accountable, in particular rehabilitation in prison and the abuses or traumas that have contributed to the crime. Gascón praised the work that Lyle and Erik Menendez did behind bars to rehabilitate and help other prisoners.
Hochman, who became DA in December, should disclose his position on imminent resentment. He holds a press conference at 10:00 am local on Monday.
Kaitlyn Morris of ABC News contributed to this report.
