Menendez brothers could be released today: Resentencing begins today in Los Angeles for Erik and Lyle

The case of the Menendez brothers, who were convicted of murdering their parents in Los Angeles in 1989, has returned to the public’s consciousness. Similar to Gypsy Rose Blanchard, who was found guilty of aiding in the murder of her mother as a minor, some criminal justice advocates believe that the factors that were excluded from the trial of the Menendez brothers should be reconsidered. Like Blanchard’s case, legal advocates for the brother argue that the abuse the brothers claim they suffered at the hands of their parents should be considered to help the court build a better understanding of the case.

As possible victims of child abuse, the court may consider their actions in a different light than that in which they were cast during their trial. The court sentenced both brothers to life in prison. During the second trial (the first ended in a mistrial after the jury was unable to reach a conclusion), the judge limited the defense’s ability to highlight the role the alleged abuse played as a motivating factor in the murders.

Resentencing hearing for Menendez brothers begins

In November 2024, the Los Angeles District Attorney, George Gascón, was voted out of office. Gascón had shown that he was sympathetic for the need of the state to consider new evidence, unlike his successor Nathan Hochman. DA Hochman has taken a much tougher line, which quickly derailed the brother’s case.

When could the brothers be released?

Talia Menendez, the daughter of Erik Menendez, runs a social media account raising awareness about the case. In a post from October, she explained that the district attorney would have the power to recommend the court vacate the sentence and allow the brothers to be released based on the time they have already served, limit the sentence to three to five more years, send the case to a parole board, or leave the current sentence in place.

Preliminary reporting from The Independent points to the DA’s office not accepting arguments that the brothers should be released, as past comments indicate that they don’t think the two men have “taken complete responsibility for the crime.”

The hearing will likely take two days, and one should not accept Judge Michael Jesic, who is overseeing the case, to decide at the end of the proceedings. After considering the arguments, the judge is within their right to issue a written ruling.

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