California Governor Gavin Newsom has directed the state parole board to conduct a thorough risk assessment of Lyle and Erik Menendez, who have been incarcerated for nearly three decades for the 1989 murder of their parents. The brothers' defense attorneys, Mark Geragos and Cliff Gardner, expressed gratitude for Newsom's decision, emphasizing that it signifies a step towards obtaining essential information for a fair evaluation of the brothers' potential release.
Newsom has set a 90-day timeline for the parole board to complete the risk assessment, followed by a hearing where victims' family members and prosecutors can participate in the process. The primary question at hand is whether the Menendez brothers currently pose an unreasonable risk to public safety, as per the state's parole standards.
The Menendez brothers are pursuing various avenues for potential release, including clemency from Newsom, a resentencing hearing, and a new trial. Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman has expressed opposition to a new trial but remains undecided on supporting a resentencing bid that could lead to the brothers' freedom.
The brothers' latest bid for freedom stems from new evidence of alleged sexual abuse by their father, Jose Menendez, which their attorneys argue impacted their actions. However, Hochman has cast doubt on the relevance of this evidence and the brothers' changing accounts of the events leading to their parents' deaths.
Former Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón previously recommended a resentencing of 50 years to life for the brothers, taking into account their rehabilitation during their incarceration. The case has garnered renewed attention following the release of the true-crime drama 'Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story' on Netflix.
