Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman has publicly opposed granting the Menendez Brothers a new trial, a position that has drawn criticism from actor Cooper Koch, who portrayed Erik Menendez in the Netflix series Monsters.
The case revolves around Lyle and Erik Menendez, who were convicted in 1996 of murdering their parents, José and Mary Menendez. The brothers have long maintained that they killed their parents in self-defense after enduring years of sexual, physical, and emotional abuse. In 2022, former District Attorney George Gascon recommended that the brothers be re-sentenced, which could have resulted in their release on parole. This recommendation came after new evidence surfaced, including letters that allegedly supported the brothers’ claims of abuse.
However, Hochman, who was elected as District Attorney in 2024, dismissed the notion of a new trial for the Menendez brothers. In a press conference held Friday, Hochman questioned the credibility of new evidence presented in their case, specifically a letter from Erik Menendez to a man named Andy Cano, dated 1988. Hochman cast doubt on the authenticity of the letter and its relevance to the case.
“We looked again at the credibility of the letters, particularly this Andy Cano 1988 supposed letter,” Hochman said. “It calls into drastic question whether this is in fact a 1988 letter written by Erik Menendez to Andy Cano about this sexual abuse.” Hochman also stated that even if the letter were valid, it was not presented during the original trial and came too late to be considered in the current proceedings. “The delay in bringing this motion from at least 2015 to 2023 is substantial,” he added, referring to the brothers’ request for a re-sentencing.
Hochman emphasized that, based on the legal grounds, the court should deny the Menendez brothers’ current habeas petition. He also noted that if the court disagreed, it could issue an “order to show cause,” which would involve further legal proceedings.
Cooper Koch, who played Erik Menendez in Monsters, a role that dramatized the brothers’ lives and the complex circumstances surrounding the murders, responded to Hochman’s stance in a statement. In a message shared via his brother Payton Koch’s Instagram Story, Cooper expressed his disapproval of Hochman’s position.
“I am deeply troubled by the statement made today by District Attorney Nathan Hochman,” Cooper Koch said in a statement released on his brother, Payton Koch’s Instagram story. “It is still my firm belief that the Menendez brothers did not receive a fair second trial and all of the evidence that supported their claims of sexual, psychological, physical, and emotional abuse at the hands of their mother and father were not considered.”
Koch, who has become a vocal advocate for the Menendez brothers’ case, further expressed his belief in the brothers’ innocence and the need for justice. “I remain hopeful that there is still a path forward that will lead to their freedom, so I encourage all of their supporters to keep their voices strong,” he added.
The Menendez brothers were convicted of first-degree murder for killing their parents in Beverly Hills in 1989. Their case garnered widespread media attention, with many questioning whether their actions were the result of a lifetime of abuse. After serving over 30 years in prison, the brothers have continued to fight for their freedom, with renewed support from activists, legal experts, and the entertainment industry.
As the debate over their case continues, the Menendez brothers’ future remains uncertain. Hochman’s decision to reject their request for a new trial adds another chapter to one of California’s most infamous criminal cases. Fans and advocates like Koch continue to rally behind the brothers, hoping for a chance at justice and potential release.
