The Los Angeles County District Attorney recently met with the Menendez brothers' family to discuss their bid for freedom, 35 years after being convicted of killing their parents. The new District Attorney, who took office in December, described the meeting as productive, lasting about three hours. Brothers Lyle and Erik Menendez were found guilty of murdering their parents in 1989 and sentenced to life in prison without parole.
In recent years, the brothers initiated a bid for freedom following the emergence of new evidence regarding their father's alleged sexual abuse. Their lawyers filed a habeas corpus petition in May 2023, seeking a court review of their case. The extended family of the Menendez brothers largely supports their release, arguing that in today's more aware society, the brothers might not have been convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life.
Former District Attorney George Gascon recommended in October 2024 that the brothers be resentenced to 50 years to life, making them eligible for parole. However, the current District Attorney criticized this move as a 'desperate political move,' casting doubt on the fairness of the decision. The resentencing hearing, initially scheduled for early December, was postponed to the end of January to allow for further review.
The current District Attorney is analyzing thousands of pages of prison records to evaluate the rehabilitation aspect of resentencing. Factors such as refraining from illegal activities in prison, initiating programs to assist other inmates, and personal development during incarceration are being considered. At the original trials, the defense argued that the brothers were victims of sexual abuse by their father, while prosecutors contended that the murders were financially motivated.
The Menendez brothers are currently incarcerated at the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego as they await further legal proceedings.
