Practically 30 years after Lyle and Erik Menendez had been convicted of murdering their mother and father, their case is again in court docket — and this time, they might have an opportunity at freedom.
It started amid renewed public curiosity, sparked partly by Netflix’s Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story. On October 24, 2024, former Los Angeles County District Legal professional George Gascón held a press convention addressing the potential resentencing of the Menendez brothers. Although Gascón was later changed by Nathan Hochman, who opposed a brand new trial and tried to reverse the movement supporting resentencing, the court docket proceedings stay underway.
Hollywood Life has the most recent replace on Lyle and Erik’s resentencing beneath.
Had been Lyle & Erik Menendez Resentenced?
Throughout an October 24, 2024, press convention, former Los Angeles DA Gascón introduced that he had “determined to maneuver ahead” with a overview of Erik and Lyle Menendez’s case. He additionally formally beneficial that the brothers be resentenced and made instantly eligible for parole.
BREAKING: Los Angeles County DA recommends resentencing the Menendez brothers for the 1989 killings of their mother and father. https://t.co/5rQdUbS17D pic.twitter.com/xJcx3Wg2OB
— NBC Information (@NBCNews) October 24, 2024
Gascón defined that resentencing beneath California legislation doesn’t essentially revisit the unique crime, however relatively evaluates whether or not the inmate has been rehabilitated and might be safely launched into the group.
“There was no excuse for homicide,” Gascón mentioned, referencing the 1989 killing of José and Mary Louise “Kitty” Menendez. “As a result of even if you happen to get abused, the best path is to name police, search assist.” Nonetheless, he acknowledged the desperation that many abuse victims expertise, noting that some, notably girls, “who’ve been battered for years … generally will homicide their abuser.”
“I consider they’ve paid their debt to society,” Gascon added.
The Menendez brothers had been scheduled to return to court docket on March 20, 2025, for a listening to to find out if they need to be resentenced. Nonetheless, DA Hochman introduced he had requested the court docket to reject Lyle and Erik’s request for a brand new trial.
“We regarded once more on the credibility of the letters, notably this Andy Cano 1988 supposed letter weighed within the continuum of lies, and it calls into drastic query whether or not that is the truth is a 1988 letter written by Erik Menendez to Andy Cano about this sexual abuse,” Hochman mentioned.
Choose Michael Jesic held a listening to on April 11 to announce that resentencing proceedings would proceed on April 17 and 18, 2025. Nonetheless, on the day the hearings had been set to start, the prosecution argued {that a} just lately accomplished danger evaluation — performed by the California Board of Parole Hearings on the request of Governor Gavin Newsom — was mandatory earlier than the case may transfer ahead. Consequently, a brand new listening to has been scheduled for Might 9.
When Will Lyle & Erik Menendez Be Launched?
It’s nonetheless unclear when the Menendez brothers may very well be launched from jail.
When the brothers shot their mother and father in August 1989, Erik was 18, and Lyle was 21. The brothers at the moment are 54 and 57, respectively.
Do the Menendez Brothers Nonetheless Have Cash?
After greater than 30 years behind bars, Lyle and Erik reportedly exhausted any cash they as soon as had. Their internet worths are at present unknown.
Some nonetheless consider that the siblings killed their mother and father to inherit their cash — an accusation that each Lyle and Erik have known as inaccurate.
Why Did the Menendez Brothers Kill Their Dad and mom?
Erik and Lyle have maintained the explanation for fatally capturing their mom and father. Throughout their Nineties trials, the brothers described the alleged emotional, bodily and sexual abuse that they endured throughout their childhoods. Throughout each of their trials, Erik and Lyle detailed what José allegedly did to them once they had been youngsters.
All through the trials, protection legal professional Leslie Abramson maintained each Erik and Lyle’s claims in regards to the alleged sexual abuse they confronted. Though Choose Stanley Weisberg sentenced them to life with out the potential of parole in 1996, Erik and Lyle sought rehabilitation behind bars, which District Legal professional Gascón identified in October 2024. Moreover, new proof was handed over to the court docket for additional overview. The proof included two key items of data: a letter that Erik had written to his cousin Andy Cano months earlier than he and Lyle killed their mother and father, admitting how fearful he was of José, and an allegation from former Menudo band member Roy Rosselló, who claimed that he was sexually abused by José when he was a minor.
Should you or anybody you already know has been sexually abused, name the Nationwide Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673). A educated employees member will present confidential, judgment-free assist in addition to native assets to help in therapeutic, recovering and extra.
