SACRAMENTO — California Gov. Gavin Newsom said he won’t make a clemency decision on the murder convictions of Erik and Lyle Menendez until newly elected Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman reviews the nearly 35-year-old case.
In October, prosecutors submitted a recommendation for the brothers’ resentencing on the murder conviction in the 1989 killings of their parents in their Beverly Hills home. George Gascón, the current district attorney, asked a judge to impose a new sentence 50 years to life, which could make them eligible for parole immediately.
Gascón, who was supported by Newsom, lost reelection this month, so the governor said he would give the incoming district attorney time to review the case.
“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,” the governor’s office said in a statement Monday. “The governor will defer to the DA-elect’s review and analysis of the Menendez case prior to making any clemency decisions.”
Hochman told The Associated Press last week that he could not comment on the resentencing recommendation until he has time to review confidential documents related to the brothers.