L.A. County D.A. Nathan Hochman is being criticized by the Menendez Brothers’ family for using murder scene images in a recent court session, calling it a “grotesque spectacle” with grave repercussions.
In a recent court filing, Bryan Freedman, the family’s lawyer, attacks Hochman, claiming that the county’s top prosecutor is mocking Marsy’s Law, which defends the rights of victims of crime.
According to the documents that TMZ was able to obtain, Freedman claims that Hochman inappropriately and needlessly showed pictures from the crime scene during Friday’s court hearing, which was attended by several of Erik’s and Lyle’s family members. He also claims that the images caused the brothers’ 85-year-old aunt, Terry Baralt, so much emotional distress that she ended up in the hospital.
Menendez Brothers Prison Interview INLINE-hulu Freedman claims that the D.A.’s Office is treating the Menendez clan as “second-class victims due to a policy disagreement” between Hochman and the family, and as a result of their “scandalous behavior,” they have victimized the Menendez family members twice.
Hochman’s “gratuitous and needlessly displayed” actions, according to Freedman, had no justification other than to “inflame emotions to achieve maximum’shock’ value.”
The family is requesting that the court chastise the D.A.’s Office and mandate that they notify the family in advance of any upcoming plans to display images from the crime scene in the Menendez case.
According to Freedman, Hochman is not treating the family fairly or with respect, and he is mocking a statute that is meant to protect victims from abuse, harassment, and intimidation.
Hochman has now expressed regret for not telling the family in advance, but he claims that the images were necessary to highlight the severity of the act.
More Menendez hearings are coming up soon, and it will be interesting to watch how everything turns out.
Step into the ultimate entertainment experience with Radiant TV! Movies, TV series, exclusive interviews, live events, music, and more—stream anytime, anywhere. Download now on various devices including iPhone, Android, smart TVs, Apple TV, Fire Stick, and more!
