Introduction to the Case
A re-sentencing hearing is set to begin Thursday morning in Van Nuys for Erik and Lyle Menendez, who are serving life in prison without the possibility of parole for the shotgun killings of their parents at the family’s Beverly Hills mansion more than three decades ago.
Background of the Hearing
The hearing — which is expected to continue Friday — comes just under a week after Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Michael Jesic denied a request by the L.A. County District Attorney’s Office to withdraw a motion filed under prior D.A. George Gascón’s administration that supported re-sentencing for Erik Menendez, now 54, and Lyle Menendez, now 57.
Recent Developments
The district attorney’s office filed a new motion Wednesday night asking the judge to delay the hearing until the court can review a recently released parole board assessment. Erik and Lyle Menendez are set to appear from prison via video on Thursday, April 17, 2025, for a re-sentencing hearing in Van Nuys. (California Dept. of Corrections via AP, File)
Prosecution’s Stance
Prosecutors are objecting to the pair being re-sentenced for the Aug. 20, 1989, shotgun killings of their parents, Jose and Mary Louise “Kitty” Menendez. Attorneys representing the brothers are hoping to have them re-sentenced to a lesser term, either allowing them to be released or become eligible for parole.
Family Members’ Involvement
Anamaria Baralt, center, and other family members of Erik and Lyle Menendez arrive in court for a hearing in their case Thursday, April 17, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
Family members of Erik and Lyle Menendez arrive in court for a hearing in their case Thursday, April 17, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
Anamaria Baralt, center, and other family members of Erik and Lyle Menendez arrive in court for a hearing in their case Thursday, April 17, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
Family members and supporters of Erik and Lyle Menendez arrive in court for a hearing in their case Thursday, April 17, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
Attorney Mark Geragos, representing Erik and Lyle Menendez, speaks to the media as he arrives for a hearing in their case Thursday, April 17, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
Attorney Mark Geragos, representing Erik and Lyle Menendez, speaks to the media as he arrives for a hearing in their case Thursday, April 17, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
Attorney Mark Geragos, representing Erik and Lyle Menendez, arrives for a hearing in their case Thursday, April 17, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
Attorney Mark Geragos, representing Erik and Lyle Menendez, speaks to the media as he arrives for a hearing in their case Thursday, April 17, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
Attorney Mark Geragos, representing Erik and Lyle Menendez, arrives for a hearing in their case Thursday, April 17, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
The Brothers’ Claims
The two claim the killings were committed after years of abuse, including alleged sexual abuse by their father. The brothers, sitting side by side in prison blues, appeared last Friday at the hearing via Zoom from the San Diego prison where they are incarcerated, but they did not make any statements.
Attorney’s Statement
“They’ve waited a long time to get some justice,” attorney Mark Geragos said after last Friday’s hearing. “Justice won over politics.” He had said during last week’s hearing that the brothers “have done more good (and) helped more prisoners” than anyone could expect during their 35 years behind bars.
District Attorney’s Position
Following the judge’s ruling, new District Attorney Nathan Hochman issued a statement saying his office has been prepared to make its case at a re-sentencing hearing, and the fact that such a hearing will be held this week “is not unexpected.” But he said prosecutors will continue to oppose their release. “These murders were calculated, premeditated, cold-blooded killings,” Hochman said. “Our position remains clear: Until the Menendez brothers finally come clean with all their lies of self-defense and suborning and attempting to suborn perjury, they are not rehabilitated and pose an unreasonable risk of danger to public safety.”
Family Members’ Trauma
In court papers this week, a lawyer representing nearly 20 of the brothers’ family members alleged that the District Attorney’s Office needlessly showed a bloody crime scene photo without any advance notice during last week’s hearing. “The victims’ family members were shocked, sickened, and traumatized by the District Attorney’s callous act,” the family’s attorney, Bryan J. Freedman wrote, adding that Jose Menendez’s 85-year-old sister, Terry Baralt, “experienced such severe emotional distress” that she was hospitalized soon afterward.
Apology from the District Attorney’s Office
Assistant Head Deputy District Attorney Habib Balian had apologized in court to the victims’ family after Geragos objected to the prosecution’s display of the graphic photo “without warning” to family members. “To the extent that the photographic depiction of this conduct upset any of the Menendez family members present in court, we apologize for not giving prior warning that the conduct would be described in detail not only in words but also through a crime scene photo,” the District Attorney’s Office said in a lengthy statement.
New Evidence
In a 2023 court petition, attorneys for the brothers pointed to two new pieces of evidence they contend corroborate the brothers’ allegations of long-term sexual abuse at the hands of their father — a letter allegedly written by Erik Menendez to his cousin Andy Cano in early 1989 or late 1988, and recent allegations by Roy Rosselló, a former member of the Puerto Rican boy band Menudo, that he too was sexually abused by Jose Menendez as a teenager.
Public Interest
Interest in the case surged following the release of a recent Netflix documentary and dramatic series. The governor said that with the exception of brief clips on social media he has not watched dramatizations of the Menendez case or documentaries on it “because I don’t want to be influenced by them.” “I just want to be influenced by the facts,” Newsom said.
Conclusion
The re-sentencing hearing for Erik and Lyle Menendez is a significant development in a case that has garnered widespread attention over the years. The brothers’ claims of abuse and their hopes for a lesser sentence have sparked a heated debate, with the prosecution firmly opposing their release. As the hearing continues, it remains to be seen how the judge will rule and what the future holds for the Menendez brothers.
FAQs
Q: What is the purpose of the re-sentencing hearing for Erik and Lyle Menendez?
A: The purpose of the hearing is to determine whether the brothers should be re-sentenced to a lesser term, potentially allowing them to be released or become eligible for parole.
Q: What are the brothers’ claims regarding the killings of their parents?
A: The brothers claim that the killings were committed after years of abuse, including alleged sexual abuse by their father.
Q: What is the position of the District Attorney’s Office regarding the brothers’ release?
A: The District Attorney’s Office opposes the brothers’ release, citing the calculated and premeditated nature of the murders.
Q: What new evidence has been presented in support of the brothers’ allegations of abuse?
A: Two new pieces of evidence have been presented, including a letter allegedly written by Erik Menendez to his cousin and recent allegations by a former member of the Puerto Rican boy band Menudo that he too was sexually abused by Jose Menendez.
Q: When will the state parole boards conduct separate hearings for the brothers?
A: The state parole boards will conduct separate hearings for the brothers on June 13.
