Social Media Manager: Samantha McCarthy
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The court hearing for Erik and Lyle Mendendez, ages 54 and 57, originally set for March 20th and 21st, has been postponed with no announcement of a reschedule. California Governor Gavin Newsom has also directed the Board of Parole to begin a risk assessment on the brothers.
Serving life sentences for the 1989 killing of their parents Jose and Mary Louise “Kitty” Menendez, the brothers are hoping for a chance at parole after being in prison for nearly three decades.
The two have not appeared in court since their original sentencing in July of 1996.
With new evidence cited in October 2024 that alludes to Jose Menendez’s alleged sexual abuse of the brothers, former Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón declared that he would plan for resentencing.
The duo has never denied the murder of their parents inside their Beverly Hills home. Yet, the defining claim of the case has always been that the murders were an act of self-defense after undergoing years of physical and sexual abuse from their father, which changes everything.
Relatives of Erik and Lyle Menendez voiced their support for the resentencing and release of the brothers, creating a petition and site with information and resources to help voice their mission.
Anamaria Baralt, niece of Jose Menendez, told NBC Los Angeles, “For us, it is a huge sigh of relief that someone in a seat of power is paying attention to what we have seen up close since Erik and Lyle have been incarcerated.”
She continued, “We have seen their rehabilitation. Erik and Lyle have changed countless lives since their conviction in 1996. Inmates have seen it, corrections officers have seen it and now we need the entire criminal justice system to see it.”
Interest in the Menendez brothers case has resurfaced in recent months, largely due to the September 2024 release of Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story on Netflix. The series have generated significant attention, leading to a petition urging Los Angeles County District Attorney (DA) Nathan Hochman to support resentencing efforts.
The recent light cast upon this case has made for three options for the pair: Resentencing, a new trial with the new evidence brought forward, or clemency, if granted by Governor Newsom.
“Since the original prosecution of the Menendez brothers more than nearly three decades ago, our office has gained a deeper understanding of the complexities surrounding sexual violence,” Gascón stated when announcing a resentencing. “We recognize that it is a widespread issue impacting individuals of all gender identities, and we remain steadfast in our commitment to support all victims as they navigate the long-lasting effects of such trauma.”
Now, with Gascón being out of office, the future of the Menendez brothers is in the hands of elected DA Hochman. According to attorney Stephen Cazares, the process of resentencing could take up to six months or longer, if approved.
On the other hand, a new trial is another possibility. In May of 2023, the brothers’ legal team filed a habeas corpus petition. Unlike the resentencing, this petition challenges the conviction as well as the sentencing of the case, which does not make the brothers reaffirm their guilt.
The last avenue for the two is to be granted clemency. Attorneys submitted a request for clemency in October of 2024, which is when Governor Newsom determined that the brothers would have to undergo risk assessments.
It is not completely certain which way this case will go or if the Menedez brothers will be granted their freedom, but many are in favor of their release due to the abuse they suffered for years.
“The resentencing hearing set for this month will not occur. Everyone involved recognizes the importance of waiting for the results of the risk assessment, as initiated by Governor Newsom. Hang tight, be patient, and keep the faith,” the admin for Lyle Menendez’s official Facebook account wrote.