Menendez brothers resentencing: Judge again delays bid for shorter sentence and possible parole
The Menendez brothers are behind bars for the 1989 murder of their parents
A judge has again delayed the resentencing hearing for Erik and Lyle Menendez, who are currently serving life in prison for the 1989 murder of their parents, after it began this morning in Los Angeles.
The Menendez brothers, who killed their parents Jose and Kitty Menendez in Beverly Hills more than 30 years ago, appeared virtually in Los Angeles court today to determine if they should receive a lesser sentence. But Judge Michael Jesic called for a pause until May 9.
The delay comes after Jesic said the court needs to obtain partially-completed risk assessments on the brothers ordered by California Governor Gavin Newsom.
Prosecutors have seen the partially-completed reports and want to use them, and have called for a delay in the hearing so all parties can consider it. Jesic and defense attorney Mark Geragos both say they haven’t seen the reports.
Geragos says he’s also calling for Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman to be removed from the case.
The brothers’ resentencing hearing has already been delayed several times. The initial hearing in January was delayed due to the Los Angeles fires, and again because prosecutors attempted to withdraw their sentencing request, the Associated Press reports.
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Menendez brothers' resentencing hearing begins today
The Menendez brothers will appear in Los Angeles court in just over two hours, at 9:30 a.m. local time, for their resentencing hearing.
However, prosecutors have filed a request to delay, arguing that state prison and parole officers first need to complete their risk assessments.
Newsom says these assessments will be ready in mid-June.
The status of that filing, made late Wednesday, is still unclear.
Follow along for live updates from The Independent.
Double murderer Menendez brothers to cite self-help groups in sentence reduction plea
Arrested over 35 years ago, Erik and Lyle Menendez have now spent more of their lives behind bars than free.
The pair were imprisoned for the double murder of their parents in their Beverly Hills home. In the decades since, they have gotten an education, participated in self-help classes and started various support groups for their fellow inmates – all behind bars.
Legal representatives for the brothers now plan to highlight their behaviour during their time in prison as they prepare to plea for a reduced sentence that could lead to their release.
Keep reading:
Double murderer Menendez brothers to cite self-help groups in sentence reduction plea
Why are prosecutors looking to delay the hearing?
Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman filed a request to delay the Menendez brothers’ resentencing hearing late Wednesday.
Hochman argues that state prison and parole officers must first complete their risk assessments on the brothers.
Those assessments are ongoing and will be completed by June 13, California Governor Gavin Newsom said.
It’s still unclear if the filing will impact today’s hearing.
"The comprehensive risk assessment is not complete and it remains ongoing,” Newsom said in a statement Wednesday. “Per California legal regulations, one component of it has been released to the involved parties for their review 60 days before the clemency hearing, and is subject to correction. Our office notified Judge Jesic of the status of this report, which is not a stand-alone risk assessment, and offered to share it with the court should he request it.”
The twisted truth behind Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story may set brothers free after 35 years
On the evening of 20 August 1989, José and Kitty Menéndez were watching TV in the den of their Beverly Hills mansion when their two sons, Lyle and Erik, entered the room carrying 12-gauge shotguns.
Now, 35 years on, the notorious murders are the subject of a new Ryan Murphy drama on Netflix, titled Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story — and this time, the “monsters” might just be the victims.
Read more:
The twisted truth behind Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story
Timeline of the Menendez brothers’ murder case
The district attorney of Los Angeles says he does not support the resentencing of Lyle and Erik Menendez, brothers who have spent more than 30 years in prison for killing their parents at their Beverly Hills home in 1989.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said Monday that his office was withdrawing his predecessor's request for a resentencing because the brothers have repeatedly lied about why they killed their parents and “fell short” of taking full responsibility for their crimes.
The brothers have argued that they committed the crimes in self-defense after years of abuse by their father.
Before leaving office, previous district attorney George Gascón said he would reexamine the case given a renewed understanding of and empathy for sexual abuse victims.
Here’s a look at the timeline of the case:
Timeline of the Menendez brothers’ murder case
How long will the sentencing hearing last?
The Menendez brothers’ sentencing hearing is set to begin today at 9:30 a.m. in Los Angeles, California.
The hearing is expected to last through Friday — that is, if it’s not delayed after prosecutors filed to pause the hearing until state prison and parole officers complete their risk assessments of the brothers.
Even if the hearing proceeds today and Friday, it’s unclear when exactly the judge will issue a decision.
DA at the center of Menendez brothers’ release saga was called a ‘Nazi collaborator’ by boss, suit says
A district attorney ensnared at the center of the highly anticipated release of the infamous Menendez brothers alleges he was labeled a Nazi collaborator by his boss, according to a new lawsuit.
Prosecutor Brock Lunsford announced Monday that he and his colleague Nancy Theberge were suing for over $250,000 in economic damages with a further $5 million in non-economic damages after superiors in the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office discriminated and demoted the pair.
But, the lawsuit, now seen by The Independent revealed that Lunsford says he was branded incompetent and a “quisling” by his superior – a derogatory term used to describe a traitor and associated with Nazi collaborator Major Vidkun Quisling in the 1930s.
Read more:
DA at center of Menendez brothers’ release saga called ‘Nazi collaborator’: suit says
Resentencing isn't the only path to freedom for the Menendez brothers
While the Menendez brothers are pursuing resentencing, it’s not their only path to freedom.
The Menendez brothers could also be granted clemency by California Governor Gavin Newsom. This could have multiple outcomes, such as a reduced sentence or a pardon. As part of this process, a hearing is scheduled for June to discuss risk assessments set to be completed by the parole board.
The Menendez brothers could also undergo a new trial, which their legal team has already asked for.
In pictures: Menendez family members arrive at Los Angeles court ahead of resentencing hearing
Defense attorney slams prosecution ahead of resentencing hearing
Defense attorney Mark Geragos told reporters he doesn’t expect the judge to accept the prosecution’s filing to delay the hearing.
“I think it’s appalling, for lack of a better term, how the DA has treated this case,” Geragos told reporters outside the courthouse where the sentencing hearing is set to take place.
“I don’t know why in this case this particular DA...has decided he has some other interest to vindicate that has nothing to do with the victims,” he added.
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