Judge William C. Ryan of the Los Angeles County Superior Court has been assigned the case concerning Erik and Lyle Menéndez, imprisoned for the brutal murder of their parents more than 30 years ago. He will consider a potential resentencing.
Recommended by District Attorney George Gascón, Judge Ryan has a reputation for fair and human-centered judgments, often favored by defense attorneys in California.
This appointment could offer new hope for the Menéndez brothers, especially considering new evidence of alleged abuse that could justify a resentence.
According to research done by TMZ within Los Angeles court circles, Judge Ryan is described as "intelligent and courageous," and is known for handling complex cases that other judges might hesitate to take on. His experience with sentence modifications and his inclination toward reductions are seen as favorable signs for the Menéndez brothers.
Key Factors in Judge Ryan's Decision
In his review, Judge Ryan will assess various elements, including the brothers' claims of enduring years of sexual, psychological, and physical abuse, their model behavior as prisoners for nearly 35 years, and public support for their release from their relatives, who are also family members of the victims.
The upcoming hearing, which has yet to be scheduled, will allow Judge Ryan to start evaluating whether to reduce the Menéndez brothers' sentences, grant them parole, or even order a new trial. The brothers maintain that they acted in self-defense after years of relentless abuse.
This legal development aligns with a broader societal shift towards recognizing the impact of childhood abuse and reconsidering sentences in long-standing cases. Renewed interest in the Menéndez case, fueled by media coverage and documentaries exploring familial abuse, has contributed to the momentum for sentence reevaluation.
@abcnews Los Angeles County DA George Gascón has recommended resentencing for Lyle and Erik Menendez, who are each serving life in prison without parole for the 1989 murders of their parents in the family’s Beverly Hills home. The attorney for Lyle and Erik Menendez said he thinks the brothers are "cautiously optimistic that they can see some real relief," and his goal is to have the brothers home for Thanksgiving. ABC News' Matt Gutman has more. #news #menendezbrothers
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What's Next for Erik and Lyle Menéndez
On Thursday, October 24, the District Attorney's Office, under George Gascón, formally requested the court to resentence the Menéndez brothers. Judge Ryan will now establish a schedule to review the defense's arguments and set a hearing date. With backing from the Menéndez defense team, the process could move swiftly toward a hearing.
The judge's final decision will hinge on the Menéndez brothers' proven good conduct and rehabilitation, as well as evidence that they no longer pose a societal risk.
Since taking office, Gascón's team has examined over 700 cases for potential resentencing, with courts approving 332 of them. However, some cases are denied if the court finds the arguments insufficient to warrant a sentence reduction. The outcome of Judge Ryan's decision will not only shape the Menéndez brothers' fate but could also establish a significant precedent within the judicial system for cases with new trauma evidence not addressed in initial trials.
@abcnews "It's possible that this could move very quickly, but there are a couple of steps this does have to go through." ABC News' Matt Gutman reports from Los Angeles after the district attorney recommended resentencing for the Menendez brothers. #menendezbrothers #breakingnews #news #abcnews
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Not All Family Members of the Menéndez Brothers Support Their Release: What Uncle Milton Andersen Says
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Lyle and Erik Menendez's aunts, sisters of Kitty and José Menéndez, are calling for the release of their nephews.
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