Family Blames Prosecutor for Medical Emergency

Terry Baralt, 85, the sister of José menéndez, was reportedly found unconscious and is currently in critical condition at a New Jersey hospital. The Menéndez family attributes her condition to the distress caused by the Los Angeles County Prosecutor’s Office, led by Nathan Hochman, after graphic images of José Menéndez‘s murder were presented in court without prior warning.

Accusations of Disrespect and Trauma

In a statement, the Menéndez family expressed their outrage and grief:

No one prepared us. There was no warning, or humanity – only shock and pain inflicted on people who have already endured decades of pain.
the exhibition was traumatizing,completely avoidable,and we believe it was intentional. The Prosecutor’s Office knew what the law demanded and deliberately decided to ignore it.
The level of disrespect was amazing.But it is part of a disturbing pattern that we have come to wait, especially the prosecutor Hochman, who has repeatedly spoken to us with aggression and disdain and we will make him responsible.
Our family is hurt. Terry may not recover from what they did – all of us – in that court. We deserve something better. We firmly believe that if the prosecutor’s office had even shown a pinch of consideration towards us, as victims, right now we would not be wishing to spend another day with Terry.

Baralt’s Support for the Menéndez Brothers

Prior to this incident, Baralt publicly voiced her support for the Menéndez brothers’ efforts to seek a new trial.In a recent television interview with ABC’s Matt Gutman, she stated:

It was a crazy era for those boys, and what they did was already done, but now they are repentant, but people have to believe that they are repentant… They have paid 35 years in jail,believe me,pay me.

The Menéndez brothers, Lyle and Erik, were convicted of the 1989 murder of their parents, José and Kitty Menéndez. the case garnered significant media attention and continues to be a subject of public fascination. As of 2025, true crime documentaries and podcasts are experiencing a surge in popularity, further fueling interest in cases like the Menéndez murders.

Legal Challenges and Marsy’s Law

Bryan Freedman, the family’s lawyer, has accused the prosecution of violating Marsy’s Law, which is designed to ensure victims’ rights and requires prosecutors to treat victims with fairness and respect. Marsy’s Law, enacted in several states, aims to provide victims with specific rights throughout the criminal justice process, including the right to be informed and the right to be treated with dignity.

Prosecutor’s Office Responds

The los Angeles Prosecutor’s Office issued a statement addressing the family’s concerns:

We never intend to cause anguish or pain to people who attend a judicial hearing. We understand that the nature of the evidence of these atrocious double murders was deeply emotional. However, these audiences are conceived so that the truth, however painful it is, comes to light. That truth begins with the abject brutality and the premeditation of the murders themselves.
To the extent that the photographic portrayal of this conduct bothered any of the members of the Menéndez family present in the court, we apologize for not having previously warned that the conduct would be described in detail not only with words, but also through a photo of the crime scene.
We remain committed to ensuring that future procedures advance with the dignity, respect and openness that this case deserves. We warn anyone who attends the audience in person who is prepared for some of the arduous details and images that surround these tragic circumstances.

Upcoming Court Proceedings

The Menéndez brothers’ hearing is scheduled to continue on Thursday and Friday. The proceedings are expected to be closely watched, given the recent controversy and the ongoing legal challenges.