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.
What to know about the Menendez brothers' bid for freedom
A California judge is set to decide whether the Menendez brothers deserve reduced sentences
Family of Menendez brothers wave off prosecutor criticism and lead rally for their release
The twisted truth behind Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story may set brothers free after 35 years
ICYMI: Family of Menendez brothers wave off prosecutor criticism and lead rally for their release
The family of Erik and Lyle Menendez last month rejected claims by the Los Angeles district attorney that the brothers hadn't appropriately taken responsibility for the 1989 killing of their parents and said that any lies they told during their murder trial were due to trauma and fear.
“Kids lie when they’re scared, when they feel intimidated, and when they become traumatized. They lie when they don’t know who to trust. But they grow up, they learn, and they take responsibility,” said Tamara Goodell, a cousin of the brothers who spoke at a rally calling for the brothers' release from prison.
Keep reading:
Family of Menendez brothers wave off prosecutor criticism and lead rally for their release
Prosecutor says Menendez brothers haven't 'fully come clean' and aren't yet ready for resentencing
Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman spoke outside court ahead of the resentencing hearing Thursday, arguing the Menendez brothers should remain behind bars.
“We believe and the California courts confirm that, in order for someone to be rehabilitated, they need to fully come clean with all the entire breadth of their criminal conduct,” Hochman told reporters Thursday. “In this case, the Menendez brothers, for the past 30 years, have not come clean with that information.”
The Menendez brothers will reportedly highlight their rehabilitation efforts and self-help group attendance as they make a bid for a lesser sentence.
“For instance, they have perpetrated the lie, a lie of self-defense,” Hochman added. “It wasn't their original story. It was actually their fourth story on why they brutally killed their parents.”
Focus of today's hearing will be on Menendez brothers' self-defense claim
The focus of today’s resentencing hearing will be the Menendez brothers’ claim of self-defense, District Attorney Nathan Hochman said.
The brothers have claimed they killed their parents in self-defense following years of childhood sexual abuse at the hands of their father.
Hochman expects the defense to call witnesses today as well.
“The prosecution does not fear those facts,” Hochman said. “We just want every part of the factual picture to be before the judge when he makes his decision.”
Hearing begins as Menendez brothers join virtually
The resentencing hearing has begun in Los Angeles, with the Menendez brothers joining virtually from a prison near San Diego.
The brothers are wearing blue prison jumpsuits and sitting together, according to reporters inside the courtroom.
Electronic devices are not allowed inside the courtroom.
Public tickets handed out for resentencing hearing
A deputy handed out some 16 tickets to members of the public outside the Los Angeles courthouse who wanted to view the Menendez brothers’ resentencing hearing, according to NBC News.
There are 16 seats available, some of which are standby seats. The tickets were handed out via a lottery system, the outlet reports.
Judge denies prosecution's request to delay hearing
A Los Angeles judge denied District Attorney Nathan Hochman’s request to delay the Menendez brothers’ resentencing hearing in court Thursday.
In a filing late Wednesday, Hochman argued that state prison and parole officers should first complete their risk assessments on the brothers. Those assessments are ongoing and will be completed by June 13, California Governor Gavin Newsom said Wednesday.
Judge says resentencing not likely
A California judge says a decision on the Menendez brothers’ resentencing likely won’t come in the next two days.
While the hearings are expected to last through Friday, the judge doesn’t except to issue a decision until later.
The hearings will include testimony from witnesses called by both sides.
Today’s hearing is set to focus on the Menendez brothers’ claim of self-defense, Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman said Thursday. The brothers have claimed they killed their parents in self-defense following years of childhood sexual abuse at the hands of their father.
Court in recess
Court is in recess until 1:30 p.m. local time, NBC News reports.
This comes after the judge says “no way” a decision will be made on the Menendez brothers’ resentencing by the end of the hearings Friday.
Defense claims prosecution has 'bias' and condemns use of graphic crime scene photos
Before the two-hour recess, defense attorney Mark Geragos accused District Attorney Nathan Hochman of having a personal bias against the Menendez brothers and condemned him for showing graphic images from the 1989 crime scene in court last week.
Geragos claimed prosecutors violated Marsy’s Law — a law which protects victims’ rights in court — by showing the pictures.
Prosecutor Habib Balian apologized to the Menendez family for showing the photos but said it was necessary because the brothers had committed “extremely depraved conduct.”
Judge Michael Jesic then defended Balian and took responsibility for allowing the images to be shown in court without telling the family first.
Jesic added that those attending the hearing need to be prepared for more potentially graphic content.
“If anyone is uncomfortable they need to think about whether they should be here,” Jesic said.
Monsters star Cooper Koch spotted supporting Menendez brothers in pivotal court hearing
Monsters star Cooper Koch was spotted attending last week’s pivotal court hearing for convicted murderers Erik and Lyle Menendez.
The Menendez brothers, who are serving life sentences for the 1989 murders of their parents, José and Kitty, returned to the public eye in 2024 with the premiere of Ryan Murphy’s show, Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story.
The Netflix series, which featured 28-year-old Koch as Erik and 25-year-old Nicholas Chavez as Lyle, garnered renewed support for the brothers, who have been fighting for their release for the past 30 years.
Read more:
