Since the Palisades fire broke out, fire and ash have seeped into every aspect of life in Los Angeles. The Palisades Fire started just over a week ago, but for many, it's been a long time coming. While smoke from the Los Angeles fires has yet to reach San Diego County, the lives of two former Angelenos, Erik Menendez and Lyle Menendez, will also be affected by the tragedy in their hometown.

According to a news release from the District Attorney's Office, Judge Michael Jacic chose to once again postpone the sentencing of the widely known brothers to March 20-21.

Originally scheduled for December 11, Judge Jasic has postponed the hearing to January 30, with an additional day of January 31 if necessary to allow the newly elected Los Angeles District Attorney to Nathan Hochman had time to reacquaint himself with the case. "The hearing continues because the recent wildfires have impacted the parties' extensive preparations for the hearing," the district attorney added.

While a temporary reprieve from winds on Friday allowed firefighters to better control the still-raging Palisades and Eaton fires, a new wave of Santa Ana winds is expected to return early next week, which could severely hamper firefighting efforts and exacerbate ongoing blazes. Crime in the area.

While disaster can bring out the best in people, create heroes and inspire the incredible resilience of the human spirit, it also attracts the greedy, those who prey on the downfall of others. As fires engulf tens of thousands of acres in Los Angeles County, destroying thousands of homes and structures, looting, vandalism and a variety of other crimes have become rampant in evacuated communities.

In a Los Angeles already paralyzed and frightened, a new surge in crime diverts the new district attorney's attention away from the high-profile case of the Menendez brothers. An estimated 97 people have been arrested in the fire zone since last week, and Hochman said his office is actively investigating looting, price gouging and arson. "If you try to exploit this tragedy, justice will be served quickly and justice will be significant," Hochman said at a news conference Wednesday.

Ryan Murphy's hit Netflix series revives public interest in Menendez case Monster: The Lyle and Eric Menendez Storythe viral conspiracy was later made into a Netflix documentary menendez brothers, Released last October. Peacock also launched a documentary series, Menéndez + Menudo: The Betrayed Boywhich revealed new evidence that corroborated the brothers' long-held claims that they were sexually abused by their father. The brothers were initially convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison without parole in 1996 for the brutal murders of their parents, Kitty Menendez and Jose Menendez .

This latest twist may not indicate Hochman's leanings on the case at this time. It should be remembered, however, that former District Attorney George Gascón had expressed a willingness to reconsider the brothers' sentences, writing a letter in October at the height of his reelection campaign recommending they be sentenced to between 50 and 50 years in prison. A life sentence, which would make them a life sentence. Eligible for parole. Gascón's critics decried the move, claiming he was simply betting on the public good as a last-ditch effort to retain his position - at a time when he was far behind Hochman in the polls. Despite the criticism, Gascón stood his ground. However, the former district attorney's view of being soft on crime was a significant factor in his failed re-election bid, and now Hochman must weigh how his handling of the Menendez case will set the tone for his tenure.

So far, Hochman has been clear and direct in talking about the case. "While the Menendez case has received significant media attention, it will not receive preferential treatment just because it is in the media arena," he said.