A judge in Los Angeles has decided to delay the resentencing hearing for brothers Lyle and Erik Menendez, both of whom are currently serving life sentences for the murder of their parents back in 1989.
Set for May 9, a motions hearing will address the admissibility of a state parole board risk-assessment report. This report could play a crucial role in the ongoing discussions surrounding the brothers’ potential for parole.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman has voiced strong opposition to the resentencing hearing, a move that could have rendered the brothers eligible for parole and possibly lead to their release after spending 35 years behind bars.
Outside the courthouse, the brothers’ attorney, Mark Geragos, expressed his intent to file a motion seeking Hochman’s removal from the case. As Geragos stated, “We believe in a fair process, and it’s essential to address any potential biases.” This recusal motion will also be on the agenda for discussion on May 9.
The Menendez brothers were convicted in 1996 of first-degree murder and subsequently sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the fatal shooting of their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez, at their Beverly Hills home on August 20, 1989.
In the 1990s, this high-profile case grabbed national attention, largely due to the brothers’ affluent background as the sons of a prominent record company and entertainment executive. At the time of the murders, Lyle was 21 years old, and Erik was just 18.
Prosecutors alleged that the brothers committed the act to inherit a staggering $14 million fortune. Initially, they attempted to shift blame to a Mafia hit—one of five different explanations they provided throughout the course of legal proceedings. Ultimately, during their trial, the brothers claimed they acted in self-defense, arguing that they were compelled to strike first to protect themselves from their abusive father, who had subjected them to years of emotional and sexual abuse.
The original trials garnered immense media attention, and interest in the case experienced a resurgence last year with the release of Netflix’s acclaimed series, “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story.”
For further reading, you can check out: US prosecutor recommends resentencing Menendez brothers.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring.
