Menendez Brothers are one step closer to freedom after winning their unhappy bid on Tuesday.
Erik and Lyle Menendez killed their parents in 1989 at their home in Beverly Hills, and Kitty and Jose Menendez spent thirty years in prison. After two trials, a Los Angeles County judge sentenced them to serving in prison without the possibility of parole.
But after months of leadership, Judge Michael Jesic reduced his sentence to 50 years, giving them the opportunity to move forward on parole boards and lobbying for their own freedom. Despite serving less than 50 years, California Youth Criminal Law also granted them the qualifications because they killed their parents before they were 26 years old.
“I hope we are happy to be able to take a step forward with the boy home,” Brothers attorney Mark Geragos said Tuesday.
Thank them Governor Gavin Newsom's wide requestby the end of the year, the brothers can grant them freedom. In preparation, Newsom ordered Risk Assessment Report And plans to hold their last hearing on the parole board on June 13.
"The brothers could be eliminated in a few months," said former federal prosecutor Neama Rahmani. "Things look really good for the Menendes brothers."
Rahmani hopes that the parole board recommends that they issue and ask Newsom to confirm their decision.
If the two Menendez brothers are denied parole at independent hearings, they can lobby for their freedom again in future meetings with the board. However, it may take several years to make the next appointment.
If the panel denies inmate parole, state law requires the board to arrange another three, five, seven, 10 or 15 years of hearings in the future, according to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
According to the CDCR, there were 8,001 parole hearings last year. After these meetings, 33% of inmates were denied compared to 14% of inmates who received parole. About 22% of inmates’ parole hearings are cancelled, continued or postponed.
If Erik or Lyle is granted parole, the board and the governor will review the panel's decision. Eventually, Newsom made the final decision to approve or deny the brothers' freedom.
Newsom has been alert to his leniency demands on the brothers since February and has acted the same way when asked about the chance to be parole on Wednesday.
“Based on the recommendation, I often reject the recommendations of the parole board,” he said.
Newsom rejects two famous parole proposals in 2022 Assassin Sirhan Sirhan and before Charles Manson follower Leslie Van Houten.
Sirhan assassinated Sen. Robert F. Kennedy and injured 50 years in prison in 1968 at the Los Angeles ambassador's hotel.
Newsom described RFK as his "political hero" and said Sirhan's failure to resolve the shortcomings that led to his arrival proved his denial. Assassination of Senator Kennedy. ”
"Decades later, he failed to address the flaws that led to his assassination of Senator Kennedy," Newsom wrote in his decision. "Mr. Sirhan's lack of insight will prevent him from making dangerous decisions he made in the past."
exist Van Horton's caseNewsom prevented her release because he did not believe that her role in the cruel Manson killing fully expressed his remorse.
He wrote in his decision: “Before safe release, Ms. Van Horton must do more to develop the factors she seeks to accept from this negative, violent influence and extreme behavior that suffers from wanton violence.”
Despite his rejection, Van Houten was released after the Court of Appeal overturned Newsom's ruling.
"I am the final arbitrator. I have to review the recommendations and reports of the parole board," Newsom said when asked about the Menendez case. "It is also conceivable that it will happen in a few months."
In 2018, California's 1308 General Assembly Act expanded the influence of hearings for young offenders, including prisoners under the age of 26 at the time of the crime.
According to the CDCR, the state created a specific program after reviewing scientific evidence that a person’s brain was not fully mature until his 20s.
In addition to age requirements, inmates may be prohibited if they are sentenced to death or life without the possibility of parole.
If eligible, once they serve 15, 20 or 25 years in prison, inmates can appear before the youth offender parole group.
When they killed their parents in 1989, Erik and Lyle Menendez turned 18 and 21 respectively.
When their initial sentences prohibited them from entering the program, their recent court victory opened up a new path to freedom for the Menendez Brothers.
Erik and Lyle Menendez's appeal lawyer file a petition of resentment In 2023, New evidence Supporting the brothers’ allegations of abuse and supporting their bid to reduce sentences and potentially lead to their release or parole considerations.
"Two years ago, Cliff and I were talking about another case, he mentioned Menanderz's brother, he mentioned Cliff Gardner, an appeal attorney who first filed a petition for resentment in 2023. We decided, we decided. … Now, we see the pot of rainbow and its freedom."
When the brothers get support for their resentment District Attorney George Gascon In 2024, his successor, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman Repeatedly saying that he objected to their opposition and attempted to withdraw his predecessor motion.
“Our office’s motion to withdraw the resentment motion filed by the previous administration ensured that the court brought all the facts before such a decision was made,” Hawkman said on the night of the review of the decision.
Over the course of five months, Judge Jesus’ resentful decision, Hockman reiterated the prosecution’s position that they did not believe the brothers should be released, but that they had not yet been released. He accused the Menandes brothers of killing their parents in an "orderly manner" similar to "Mafia Hits."
“Like all cases, this situation – especially those that attract the public, must be viewed critically,” Hawkman said. “Our opposition and analysis ensures that the courts have obtained a complete, accurate record of facts. The justice should never be lingered by wonder.”
The day after the resentment, he continued to express opposition, disagree with Judge Jesus, and claimed that the brothers lied to allegations of sexual abuse.
“I believe the Menandes brothers have begun to fully accept the path of responsibility for all actions, but their statements are insufficient,” Hockman said. “For example, they never said that what they said during the trial, self-defense, defense, what they said in the last 30 years, is absolutely wrong.”