Menendez Brothers Free. (But Only If They Admit It Was All a Lie).

The DA’s deal puts the brothers in an impossible spot: freedom, if they abandon the story they’ve clung to for 30 years.

menendez brothers 2023

A Glimmer of Hope — With a Heavy Price Tag

After more than three decades behind bars, Lyle and Erik Menendez might finally have a shot at walking free. But that chance comes with one gut-wrenching condition: they have to admit their self-defense story was never true.

In a candid interview with ABC News, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said he’s open to revisiting the brothers’ life sentences — but only if they come clean about what he calls a long list of lies.

“If they sincerely and unequivocally admit the full range of their criminal activity — and the lies they’ve told about it — then yes, I’d be open to recommending resentencing,” Hochman said.

It’s the clearest signal yet from the DA’s office that the door isn’t entirely closed. But it’s also a deal the Menendez brothers may never be willing to make.

The Lies Hochman Wants Them to Own

Hochman claims his office has identified 20 untruths tied to the brothers’ defense — the most significant being that they feared their parents were going to kill them the night of the murders.

According to Hochman, only four of those claims have been acknowledged. The rest, he says, go right to the heart of the narrative that shaped both trials and everything that’s followed since.

“They’d have to finally admit this wasn’t about survival,” Hochman said. “It was premeditated. Planned. They weren’t acting out of fear.”

The Abuse Question That Won’t Go Away

The Menendez defense has always revolved around a deeply painful claim: that their father, Jose Menendez, had abused them for years — sexually, emotionally, and physically. The brothers said they reached a breaking point, convinced he was about to kill them, and that’s what drove them to act.

Their trials put that claim under a microscope, and even decades later, it remains one of the most controversial pieces of the story.

Hochman doesn’t outright deny abuse may have occurred. But he’s firm on this: the brothers never used it as a formal legal defense. And in his view, it doesn’t excuse what happened.

The Family Doesn’t Agree

Relatives who support Lyle and Erik say the abuse was real — and that it shaped everything. They’ve called Hochman’s stance cold, even cruel, accusing him of asking the brothers to betray their own truth just to buy their way out of prison.

“They’ve done the work. They’ve taken responsibility. They’ve grown,” one cousin said. “What the DA’s asking now isn’t justice — it’s rewriting their lives.”

What Happens Next?

The DA’s office has filed a motion to withdraw a resentencing petition submitted by Hochman’s predecessor, George Gascón, who had supported reducing the brothers’ sentences from life without parole to 50 years to life. That change would make them eligible for parole right away.

The court is expected to weigh that motion on April 11. If the judge says no, a resentencing hearing could be scheduled later that same week.

Other Paths Still on the Table

While Hochman’s deal is the newest development, the Menendez brothers are still fighting on other fronts:

• Clemency Request: Governor Gavin Newsom has ordered a 90-day review to decide whether the brothers pose a risk to the public.

• Habeas Petition: Their legal team has submitted new evidence, including a letter Erik wrote describing alleged abuse and testimony from a former pop star who accused Jose Menendez of assault.

Any of these paths could shift the brothers' future — but none of them come with guarantees.

The Bigger Picture

Even after all these years, the Menendez story still divides people. Some see two entitled kids who snapped. Others see two broken boys pushed to the edge. Now, they’re being offered a deal that could change their lives — but only if they’re willing to erase the version of events that’s defined them for 30 years.

It’s not just a legal decision. It’s personal. Deeply so. And for Lyle and Erik, it may be the hardest one they’ve ever faced.

FAQ

Are the Menendez brothers getting released?
Not yet. They’ve been offered a potential deal, but only if they admit they lied about their defense.

What is the DA asking for?
DA Hochman wants a full confession: that the murders were planned, not acts of desperation or self-defense.

What’s next in the case?
A court hearing on April 11 will decide whether the resentencing petition moves forward. If it does, hearings could begin days later.

Do the brothers have any other legal options?
Yes. They’ve filed for clemency and submitted new evidence through a habeas corpus petition.

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