Menendez Brothers Seek Resentencing After 30-Year Conviction

Los Angeles, CA — Lyle and Erik Menendez are in court this week for a resentencing hearing, three decades after they were convicted of murdering their parents in 1989. The two-day hearing starts Tuesday and follows months of legal maneuvers aimed at achieving their freedom.

The brothers have been serving life sentences without parole since their highly publicized trials. In 2022, former Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón expressed support for their resentencing to life with the opportunity for parole, opening the possibility for their immediate eligibility before the parole board.

Current District Attorney Nathan Hochman has opposed Gascón’s stance, claiming the brothers’ murders were premeditated. He criticized their claims of self-defense, suggesting they have been deceptive about their actions for the past 30 years.

The resentencing hearing allows the judge to assess factors beyond the trial evidence, including the brothers’ efforts at rehabilitation while incarcerated. Over the years, Erik has initiated multiple programs for inmates, and Lyle launched an extensive beautification project raising over $250,000.

Arguments for their release have come from family members, who cite a growing awareness of childhood trauma and abuse as reasons to reconsider their harsh sentences. The brothers allege they acted out of self-defense due to years of abuse from their father.

A judge recently denied Hochman’s motion to halt the resentencing, referencing new risk assessments that indicate a moderate risk of violence posed by the Menendez brothers, which was higher than prior evaluations. Both brothers also faced internal prison violations related to cellphone usage, though the judge determined these infractions did not substantially affect the resentencing.

Attorneys for the Menendez brothers are also pursuing a habeas corpus petition, which could lead to a new trial based on new evidence. This includes a letter from Erik referencing the alleged abuse in the family.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has the power to commute the sentences but has so far refrained from doing so. The state’s Board of Parole is set to review the case in June, which may significantly influence the outcome for the Menendez brothers.