A California judge has ordered Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman to explain why crucial evidence was withheld during the Menendez brothers’ second trial. The order, issued by Superior Court Judge William Ryan on July 7, comes after attorneys for Lyle and Erik Menendez argued that new evidence could have altered the outcome of their 1996 convictions for the murder of their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez.
The brothers, who have served 33 years in prison, claim they acted in self-defense after years of sexual abuse by their father. The new evidence includes a letter from Erik Menendez to his cousin, Andy Cano, detailing the abuse, and a declaration from Roy Rossello, a former member of the band Menudo, alleging that he was also abused by Jose Menendez. According to NewsNation, the judge has given the district attorney’s office 30 days to respond.
Prosecutors have previously argued that this evidence is not new and should not be admissible. However, Judge Ryan’s ruling requires the district attorney to justify why the evidence was not presented in court. If the judge grants relief, the brothers could face reduced sentences, a new trial, or even release from prison.
The brothers’ attorney, Alexandra Kazarian, described the ruling as a “huge win” and suggested that the case could be re-evaluated as manslaughter rather than murder. The Menendez brothers are scheduled for a parole hearing in August, following a resentencing in May that made them eligible for parole.
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