LA District Attorney to Announce Decision on Menendez Brothers’ Resentencing

The Los Angeles County District Attorney, George Gascón, is set to announce a decision on Thursday regarding the potential resentencing of Lyle and Erik Menendez, who were convicted of murdering their parents, José and Kitty Menendez, in 1989. This development comes after a thorough reevaluation of the case, prompted by new evidence and changing societal perceptions of sexual abuse victims.

The Menendez brothers, who were 21 and 18 years old at the time of the murders, have been serving life sentences without parole. Their defense has long argued that they acted in self-defense after suffering years of sexual, emotional, and physical abuse by their father. During their highly publicized trials, the brothers admitted to killing their parents but claimed they did so out of fear for their lives. However, much of the evidence supporting these claims was excluded in their second trial, leading to their convictions for first-degree murder.

New evidence, including a letter from Erik Menendez to a cousin detailing the abuse and a sworn declaration from former Menudo member Roy Rosselló alleging sexual assault by José Menendez, has been presented. These revelations, along with recent documentaries and a Netflix series highlighting the case, have reignited public interest and sparked calls for resentencing.

Gascón’s office has been examining the case for about a year and is expected to hold a press conference at 1:30 p.m. PT to disclose his decision. The ultimate decision on resentencing will lie with a judge, with a hearing scheduled for November 26, 2024. The brothers’ legal team is seeking either the annulment of their conviction and sentence or permission for a new evidentiary hearing to present their evidence.

The case has garnered significant public attention, with many advocating for the brothers’ release on social media. Family members, including Joan VanderMolen, sister of Kitty Menendez, have made heartfelt appeals for their release, describing the brothers’ actions as a desperate response to the abuse they suffered. However, not all family members support the brothers’ release, with Milton, Kitty’s brother, opposing their potential freedom.

Gascón’s decision is also set against the backdrop of his re-election campaign, where he is focusing on sentencing reform. He has noted that societal perceptions of sexual abuse victims have evolved significantly since the brothers’ trials, suggesting that a jury today would likely view the case differently.