More than 35 years after Erik and Lyle Menendez committed a crime that captivated the nation, the brothers are on the brink of freedom. On Tuesday, a Los Angeles judge resentenced them to 50 years to life with the possibility of parole. Under California law, since they were under 26 years old at the time of their crime, they are now immediately eligible for parole consideration. The California parole board will now review their case.
“On a day like today, redemption is possible,” stated Mark Geragos, the defense attorney for the Menendez brothers, outside the courthouse. Geragos believes that this decision will have a lasting impact on the criminal justice system. The ruling came from Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Michael Jesic, who revisited the case after a prior ruling on April 11 allowed the resentencing process to move forward despite opposition from newly elected District Attorney Nathan Hochman.
The Menendez brothers were initially sentenced in 1996 to life without parole. During the resentencing hearing, numerous cousins of the brothers testified, expressing forgiveness and asserting that Erik and Lyle would not pose a danger to public safety if released, according to the Associated Press.
District Attorney Hochman, who took over the case from his predecessor, argued that the brothers have not fully accepted responsibility for their actions. In a statement to the court, Lyle Menendez said: “I killed my mom and dad. I make no excuses and also no justification. The impact of my violent actions on my family … is unfathomable.” Erik echoed this sentiment, stating, “You did not deserve what I did to you, but you inspire me to do better.” Judge Jesic, while making his ruling, emphasized, “I’m not saying they should be released; it’s not for me to decide. I do believe they’ve done enough in the past 35 years that they should get that chance.”
In addition to the parole possibility, Geragos mentioned that the brothers have a clemency hearing scheduled for June 13, where California Governor Gavin Newsom will make a decision regarding their fate.
As teenagers, the Menendez brothers lived in a lavish Beverly Hills mansion. Their father, Jose Menendez, was a corporate executive at a film studio. On August 20, 1989, a distraught Lyle called 911, claiming to have found his parents murdered in their living room. Jose Menendez had been shot six times, while his wife, Kitty, suffered 10 gunshot wounds, including one to her face.
Initially, the brothers, ages 21 and 18 at the time, lied to police, suggesting that the mafia was responsible due to Jose’s business dealings. However, suspicion grew as they embarked on a $700,000 spending spree shortly after the incident. They were arrested in March 1990 after Erik inadvertently confessed during a taped therapy session.
Both brothers pleaded not guilty, claiming they had killed their parents in self-defense after enduring years of abuse from their father. They alleged that their mother, Kitty, was aware of the abuse but chose to ignore it. Prosecutors, however, argued that the murders were motivated by financial gain.
Over the years, the Menendez family has sought to secure the brothers’ early release, presenting new evidence to support claims of domestic abuse. This prompted then-District Attorney George Gascón to reevaluate the case and request a resentencing of 50 years to life with the possibility of parole. However, the situation became complicated when Gascón lost reelection in November, and Hochman took a stance against the brothers' release, asserting that they were not fit for rehabilitation.
The Menendez case continues to resonate with the public, experiencing a resurgence of interest, particularly with the release of the documentary “The Menendez Brothers” and the Netflix series “Monsters.” This media coverage has amplified the Menendez family's campaign for the brothers' release, as supporters argue that societal perceptions of sexual abuse have evolved since the 1990s.
In an op-ed for NBC News, celebrity Kim Kardashian argued that had the trial taken place today, the outcome would likely have been much different due to increased awareness regarding male sexual abuse. She stated, “Had this crime been committed and trialed today, I believe the outcome would have been dramatically different.”
As the Menendez brothers await the outcome of their clemency hearing and potential parole, the case remains a poignant example of the complexities within the criminal justice system and societal perceptions of justice and rehabilitation.
