After months of delays and close-range causes, Erik and Lyle Menendez will get their first free shot at a resentment hearing next week.
The Los Angeles judge ruled Friday that the brothers had previously suspended a two-day hearing, which will be held next Tuesday and Wednesday. Relatives and experts - probably Eric and Lyle themselves - are expected to testify after 35 years of imprisonment on the level of recovery of the brothers.
Judge Michael Jesic resurrected a key hearing in a dramatic morning showdown that began with defense attorney Mark Geragos withdrawing his motion to kick out the case to Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman. Hochman then got up and tried to block the brothers' bid again, claiming that Erik and Lyle's findings based on the new Comprehensive Risk Assessment (CRA) report (CRA) prepared by state parole officials are "not ready yet." The unfinished CRA was created as part of a review of the brothers’ separate bids by Governor Gavin Newsom, which held a hearing on June 13.
Judge Jesus said he reviewed the CRA and found it to be "subjective" and full of "so many warnings." He finally ruled that the Hodgman office ended the resentment process initiated by Hodgman's more liberal predecessor George Gascón last October. When he announced his advice on resentment last year, Gascon said he had considered the younger age of the brothers when he killed his parents in 1989 - Erik was 18 and Lyle was 21, and their exemplary behavior was the exemplary behavior behind the bar. Gascon recommends throwing out the brothers’ early judgments in favor of the new 50-year judgment, which will allow them to immediately qualify for parole.
“By not allowing the DA to exit, it is now possible, and it is presumed that unless Erik or Erik or Erik or Lyle may commit a super strike (no one suggests, no one), then it is presumed that they should be resentful,” defense attorney Geragos told reporters after the hearing. “We have the greatest confidence that Judge Jesus does what is right, and that they will be resentful next Wednesday or Tuesday. (The super strike is a major violent crime such as murder, rape or attack with deadly weapons.)
During the hearing, Hochman revealed details that he had not known before in the CRA report. He said Lyle was cited in 2024 for violating jail rules three times, including in November 2024. Hochman said Erik found Erik on his phone in January 2025.
Hochman said the CRA reported that Lyle minimized his alleged violations and “often understate his actions as harmless.” Hockman said the report suggested that Lyle demonstrated “narcissistic and antisocial character traits” which made him “find the easiest way to get what he wanted.” At this point, Gragos interrupted and protested. The judge objected to the "psychologist's analysis."
When it comes to Erik, Hochman said the young Menendez "still be vulnerable to others, including his brother." The DA also cites Erik's report acknowledging that he "buyed" drugs, saying that he allegedly "assisted other inmates in tax fraud" earlier while in prison.
When it was his turn to speak, Glagos accused Hockman of performing “PR stunts” when he revealed details of the confidential CRA report in public court. He said the report was developed in an "extensive training" of how to explain it. He said Hochman revealed details in a "direct violation of the CRA process."
To deny Hodgman's attempt to stop the resentment hearing, the judge called the psychologist's findings "subjective" and could change in the CRA report. He also pointed out that psychologists did not interrogate the defense. Overall, he said he didn't see anything "so serious" that he should thwart the hearing.
Outside the court, Glagos blew up Hawkman again. "When he raised this, I'm going to say, 'Mr. Hockman, are they talking about you and (your) potential narcissistic tendencies?" This is my direct reaction. The lawyer said he was aware of the phone violation and shared Gascón's resentful efforts with his previous district attorney.
Lyle and Erik's cousin Anamaria Baralt, who served as family spokesperson, said after the hearing that she still hoped the brothers would be free. She and other family members are well aware that they support early releases. She said Lyle, in particular, had to spend the greatest security detention with the "most dangerous person" and never suffered violent violations in prison.
"Are you saying he was going to tell me he was going to release from that environment and suddenly become violent? It doesn't make sense. It's not a rational argument," she said. The brothers had "already paid off the huge debts of society."
"They are ready for a second chance," Bharat said.