Menendez Brothers Await Resentencing Amid Family’s Push for Release

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Erik and Lyle Menendez, convicted in 1996 for the brutal 1989 murders of their parents, are cautiously awaiting a resentencing decision that could potentially free them after 35 years in prison. Their family members, including cousin Anamaria Baralt, have publicly expressed gratitude for the support they’ve received and hope for a favorable outcome in the upcoming hearing.

The brothers, now 54 and 57, were sentenced to life without parole for fatally shooting their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez, in their Beverly Hills home. They have long claimed they acted in self-defense after enduring years of sexual abuse by their father. Their case has garnered renewed attention due to cultural shifts in understanding sexual abuse survivors and the release of Netflix’s dramatization and documentary about their story.

“What’s driving me, and my family, is love,” Baralt told PEOPLE during a National Press Club event in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 23. “Their continued incarceration serves no societal purpose and only prolongs our family’s pain. They’ve taken responsibility for their actions, they’ve committed their lives to helping others, and they’ve done it all while carrying the weight of their past and the judgment of the world.”

In October 2024, former Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascón filed a resentencing request that could have led to the brothers’ release. However, Gascón lost his reelection bid, and his successor, Nathan Hochman, has since ordered a review of the case. Hochman has not yet indicated whether he will support or withdraw the resentencing motion.

“We are still figuring it out,” Hochman told PEOPLE when asked about his stance on the case. Laurie Levenson, a professor at Loyola Law School, noted that Hochman’s approach may differ from Gascón’s. “Hochman is reviewing the case because he’s not quite sure that he feels the same way about it as Gascón,” she said.

The brothers’ legal team has also filed a habeas corpus petition, citing newly discovered evidence, including a letter Erik allegedly wrote to a cousin months before the killings, referencing his father’s abuse, and an affidavit from former Menudo member Roy Rosselló, who accused Jose Menendez of sexual assault. Despite this, Levenson remains skeptical about the likelihood of overturning the convictions.

Baralt, who has been a vocal advocate for her cousins, described Erik and Lyle as “cautiously optimistic” about the resentencing hearing, now scheduled for March 20. “They’re grateful for the support they’ve received and for the opportunity to have their sentence reconsidered,” she said.

The case has divided public opinion, with some viewing the brothers as victims of abuse deserving of a second chance, while others see their actions as unforgivable. For Baralt and her family, the focus remains on reuniting with Erik and Lyle. “All we want is to welcome them home,” she said.