Inside LADA

Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón today announced his decision to recommend the resentencing of Erik Menendez, 53, and Lyle Menendez, 56, after being in custody for approximately 35 years for the murders of their father and mother, Jose and Kitty Menendez in August 1989.

This matter will now go before a Los Angeles Superior Court Judge who will make the decision to formally resentence both men, at which time it will be decided if they will be released from prison. The date of this future court hearing is to be determined.

“Today, as we move forward with the resentencing of Erik and Lyle Menendez who have spent 35 years behind bars after being convicted in 1996 for the killing of their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez, we must acknowledge the deep pain and suffering experienced by the victims' families. For decades, they have navigated the grief of their unimaginable loss. We also acknowledge Erik and Lyle’s continuous rehabilitative efforts during their incarceration,” District Attorney Gascón said.

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Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón announced today that Lamont Campbell, 51, is charged with allegedly hijacking a public bus with passengers and shooting and killing Anthony Rivera, 48, in the city of Los Angeles on September 25.

“Today, I stand with a heavy heart as we confront the tragic aftermath of a senseless act of violence that has taken a life and shattered the sense of safety for many in our community,” said District Attorney Gascón. “My deepest condolences go out to the victim's family and all those affected by this horrific event. Every day, countless individuals rely on public transportation to go about their lives, to work, to school, and to connect with their loved ones. It is unacceptable that anyone should feel fear while simply traveling within our county. I am committed to ensuring that all Angelenos can navigate their daily routines without the threat of violence looming over them.”

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The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office is proud to announce a significant step forward in addressing and combating hate crimes throughout Los Angeles County. With hate crimes on the rise, the office is not only committed to holding perpetrators accountable but also to addressing the root causes of bias and fostering community reconciliation.

In a news conference today, District Attorney George Gascón was joined by Robin Toma, executive director, Los Angeles County Commission on Human Relations; and members of LADA’s Hate Crimes Unit to address the office and county’s work to prosecute and assist in preventing hate crimes in Los Angeles County.

“Hate has no place in Los Angeles County. We have seen a troubling rise in hate crimes, and we are determined to fight back with a multifaceted approach, which includes concerted efforts to encourage tolerance and understanding through my office’s groundbreaking outreach efforts,” said District Attorney Gascón. “Our office not only prosecutes hate crimes aggressively but also works tirelessly to educate the community and inspire the sort of understanding that can prevent future incidents. We understand the pain these crimes inflict on our communities, and we are dedicated to both justice and healing.”

Recent statistics underscore the alarming trend of hate crimes in California. Statewide, reported hate crime cases have more than doubled from 307 in 2016 to 679 in 2023. These heinous acts have infiltrated our schools, public spaces, and communities, threatening the sense of safety in our diverse state. Los Angeles County, which files more hate crime cases than any other county in California, remains resolute in its commitment to prosecuting these crimes and addressing their root causes.

“Meaningful consequences for those who commit hate crimes in our communities are a necessary part of the strategy for ensuring safety and a sense of belonging for all of us in a diverse LA County, so I applaud these hate crime convictions,” said Robin Toma, Executive Director of the L.A. County Commission on Human Relations, the agency that leads the countywide anti-hate program known as LA vs. Hate. “But I also applaud DA George Gascón for going farther: he joins our Commission and LA vs. Hate in supporting more programs that aim to use transformative educational experiences to change the thinking of those who have committed hate crimes, so they don’t continue to carry hate.

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