Erik and Lyle Menendez, convicted of murdering their parents in a highly publicized case over three decades ago, should be resentenced and released on parole, according to the recommendation from Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón.
The brutal murders of Kitty and Jose Menendez in their Beverly Hills home in 1989 shocked the United States and have recently inspired a Netflix series. The case focused on the motives of Erik and Lyle Menendez, who shot their parents 13 times while they were watching television.
On Thursday, Gascón announced that new evidence warrants a review of the brothers’ life sentences. Erik Menendez, 53, and Lyle Menendez, 56, are currently serving life in prison without the possibility of parole in California.
However, they still face a lengthy process before any release can occur. A judge must decide on the resentencing, and a parole board will evaluate whether the brothers should be granted freedom after serving more than 30 years. Neither the brothers nor their family members were informed of Gascón’s decision prior to the announcement.
“I believe the brothers were subject to a tremendous amount of dysfunction in their home and molestation,” Gascón said, acknowledging that while there is no justification for murder, he believes the Menendez brothers have served their time.
During their trials in the 1990s, prosecutors depicted the brothers as wealthy individuals who plotted the murders to inherit their parents’ fortune. However, the defense argued that the brothers were victims of long-term emotional, physical, and sexual abuse, acting only in self-defense.
The new evidence includes a letter from Erik Menendez detailing alleged abuse from their father, and claims by a member of the 1980s Puerto Rican boy band Menudo that Jose Menendez drugged and raped him during a visit to their home.
Gascón’s recommendation comes amid a tough reelection campaign, where he is facing significant polling challenges. He plans to file the re-sentencing recommendation in court on Friday, which will outline evidence advocating for reduced sentences. A hearing is expected to occur in the next 30-45 days, where a judge will hear arguments regarding the brothers’ potential release.
The trial has sparked intense emotions, with Kitty Menendez’s brother expressing dismay at the potential for a parole due to the suffering caused by the case. “You chose to do this,” Gascón stated, emphasizing the personal nature of the case.
Menendez’s request for parole has caught the attention of various public figures. Kim Kardashian publicly thanked Gascón for “righting a significant wrong,” highlighting the importance of pursuing truth in the legal process.
The Menendez brothers were charged in 1990 after a confession made to their psychologist was reported to the authorities. They claimed they killed their parents out of fear for their lives after confronting them about the abuse they endured. They were ultimately convicted of first-degree murder in 1995 following a mistrial in their initial trial.
The proceedings regarding their potential resentencing have reignited discussions regarding the complexities of trauma, justice, and accountability.
Credit: BBC News
