Erik and Lyle Menendez could potentially be released after a judge ruled in their favor for a court appearance to request a new sentence.
On Friday, the brothers appeared remotely in court to contest District Attorney Nathan Hochman’s opposition to their petition for a resentencing hearing. The petition was originally filed by former District Attorney George Gascon, according to TMZ.
Hochman opposes the petition, believing the brothers have not demonstrated reform. For instance, their recent admission that they lied about purchasing the guns out of fear shows a lack of change, TMZ reported.
In his argument against resentencing, Hochman stated, “They do not meet the standards for rehabilitation. They have not exhibited full insight or accepted complete responsibility for their actions,” as reported by USA Today.
Mark Geragos, the Menendez brothers’ attorney, highlighted the positive impact the brothers have had while incarcerated, including creating a beautiful outdoor area with trees and murals. A correction officer spoke on behalf of Lyle, expressing his willingness to welcome him into his neighborhood, according to TMZ.
The brothers’ family supports the request for resentencing and their potential release. As reported by USA Today, the family stated, “They have apologized for their actions, which resulted from Jose’s sexual abuse and Kitty’s enablement. They have expressed remorse for their horrific actions, apologized to us, and demonstrated their atonement through actions that have improved countless lives. Yet, DA Hochman is effectively asking for them to publicly apologize for a checklist of actions taken while in a state of shock and fear.”
The hearing for the possible resentencing of the brothers is scheduled for April 17. Geragos intends to request that their convictions be amended to manslaughter. If successful, the brothers could be released immediately, as they have far exceeded the maximum time served for manslaughter under California law.
TMZ reported that the brothers are scheduled for a parole review on June 13. If their sentences are not changed but the Parole Board determines they are no longer a danger to society and have been rehabilitated, they could be granted release at that time.
As previously reported by CrimeOnline, in 1989, Erik and Lyle Menendez, then 18 and 21, purchased two shotguns with cash and used them to kill their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez, at their Beverly Hills home. Investigators initially suspected the mafia was behind the slayings. However, a breakthrough in the case occurred in 1990 when Erik Menendez confessed to a therapist.
Evidence of their father’s molestation of Erik and Lyle was presented during their first trial, which ended in a hung jury. However, those details were less prominent during the second trial, resulting in their convictions.
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[Feature Photo: An Oct. 31, 2016 photo provided by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation shows Erik Menendez, left, and a Feb. 22, 2018 photo provided by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation shows Lyle Menendez. The Menendez brothers, who were convicted of killing their parents in their Beverly Hills mansion nearly three decades ago, have been reunited in the Southern California prison San Diego’s R.J. Donovan Correctional Facility. The brothers are serving life sentences for fatally shooting their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez, in 1989. (California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation via AP)]
