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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Defense attorney says prosecution 'jumped the shark'
Defense attorney Mark Geragos says Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman has "jumped the shark” and expressed frustration with Hochman’s comments to reporters before the Menendez brothers’ resentencing hearing Thursday.
Geragos said he is "very close to filing a motion to recuse the District Attorney.” A motion to recuse involves asking the prosecution to be removed from the case due to alleged bias or conflict of interest.
"This is another in a series of the DA's office abdicating their role," Geragos told reporters during the court recess on Thursday afternoon, according to NBC News. "They have… will say it again, they have jumped the shark."
Recess called after dispute over risk assessment
The judge called a two-hour court recess today over a dispute between attorneys about part of a risk assessment report on the Menendez brothers released by California officials.
Defense attorney Mark Geragos called it “completely unfair,” and said the hearing can’t proceed until he has time to review the document.
The recess is set to end within the next few minutes, at 1:30 p.m. local time.
Defense attorney claims Menendez family re-traumatized by crime scene photos
Defense attorney Mark Geragos says the graphic crime scene photos shown in court last week re-traumatized the Menendez family.
Prosecutors showed graphic images from the 1989 crime scene in court last week.
"He has abused the victims privately, he has abused the victims publicly,” Geragos said of Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman while speaking to reporters Thursday afternoon, according to Fox News.
“You were all here when they flashed grisly crime scene photos on the screen,” he continued. “It took me a second—normally it would be the DA who jumps up and objects to that. Instead, it fell upon the defense to do so.”
Prosecutor Habib Balian had 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.
Attorneys return to courtroom
The attorneys have returned to the courtroom where the Menendez brothers’ resentencing hearing is being held, signaling this afternoon’s recess may come to an end soon.
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.
Read more:
Double murderer Menendez brothers to cite self-help groups in sentence reduction plea
In pictures: Public gathers for Menendez brothers' resentencing hearing
Resentencing delayed to May 9
A judge has again delayed the resentencing hearing for Erik and Lyle Menendez after it began this morning in Los Angeles.
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, the Associated Press reports.
Prosecutors have seen these partially-completed reports and want to use them, and called for a delay in the hearing so all parties can consider it. Neither Jesic nor defense attorney Mark Geragos has seen the documents.
Now Geragos says he’s calling for Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman to be removed from the case.
Relatives are 'disappointed' after resentencing postponed
Relatives of the Menendez brothers call the decision to delay their resentencing “disappointing.”
"Today was a little bit disappointing for us as a family," Anamaria Baralt, a cousin of the brothers, told NBC4 outside the courthouse on Thursday.
"There have been some delays in this process that were unforeseeable, like the wildfires, that, of course, we have great patience for. This is another delay that is not so much, but we will continue to show up as a family,” Baralt added.
The hearing has been rescheduled for May 9.
This concludes today’s live blog coverage.