A Los Angeles Superior Court judge will hear arguments Friday on whether to withdraw a resentencing motion for Erik and Lyle Menendez, who were convicted of murdering their parents in 1989. The motion, originally filed by former District Attorney George Gascón, supported reducing their sentences from life without parole to 50 years to life, making them eligible for parole immediately due to their ages at the time of the crime.
Current District Attorney Nathan Hockman opposes the motion, arguing that the Menendez brothers have not taken full responsibility for their actions. Hockman stated that the brothers’ claims of self-defense are part of a series of “lies” and that they do not meet the standards for resentencing. “Because the brothers persist in telling these lies for the last over 30 years about their self-defense defense and persist in insisting that they did not suborn any perjury or attempt to suborn perjury, then they do not meet the standards for resentencing,” Hockman said.
Gascón, on the other hand, had praised the brothers’ efforts to rehabilitate themselves while in prison and suggested that factors such as abuse and trauma should be considered in their resentencing. Over 20 Menendez relatives support their release, citing their alleged abuse and contributions to helping other inmates.
In addition to the resentencing motion, the brothers have two other potential paths to freedom. They have requested clemency from California Governor Gavin Newsom, who has ordered a 90-day risk assessment to determine if they pose a threat to the public. Additionally, they filed a habeas corpus petition in 2023, presenting new evidence, including a letter from Erik Menendez detailing alleged abuse and accusations against their father from a former boy band member.
The judge’s decision on Friday could lead to another resentencing hearing scheduled for April 17 and 18.
Recent Comments