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The L.A. County District Attorney Nathan Hochman is not convinced the Menendez brothers deserve freedom. Hochman declared his intention to withdraw the existing resentencing motion filed by the former D.A.’s office. The D.A. argued that the brothers’ crimes were too grievous and the details were too shady. Essentially, Hochman is suggesting that they should be paroled instead.
Hochman cited numerous unaddressed lies by Erik and Lyle as grounds to deny the resentencing request. He indicated that the jury dismissed any assertion of self-defense during the second trial. Hochman overlooked that in the first trial, half the jury opted for manslaughter over murder due to “imperfect self-defense.” Hochman skipped that the judge in the second trial dismissed “imperfect self-defense,” leaving the jury without that instruction.
However, the resentencing motion is irrelevant because the case would go to the parole board if approved. Governor Gavin Newsom has requested the California Board of Parole Hearings to evaluate the Menendez brothers. The evaluation is necessary to assess their potential danger to society. Per TMZ, the Board will report its findings to the Governor, who will decide on Erik and Lyle’s release. Lyle and Erik continue to garner support, with one x user reacting to the latest development on X, writing, “Release these gentlemen already.”
The Former District Attorney Advocated for the Menendez Brothers’ Resentencing Last Year
Outgoing Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón was a prominent supporter of brothers Lyle and Erik Menendez. He led the cause of advocating for their resentencing hearing last year, which was postponed to January 2025. During a status hearing on November 25, 2024, We shared that Gascón advocated for the brothers’ parole. Erik and Lyle also joined by phone from their San Diego prison. Their virtual attendance marked their first court appearance in decades, and the hearing discussed their 2023 habeas corpus petition.
Details from the hearing cited that evidence of their father’s abuse was omitted from their original trials. This included a letter Erik wrote in 1988, a declaration from a former Menudo Member, Roy Rossello. He accused José of sexually assaulting him as an entertainment executive in the 80s. Their attorney, Mark Geragos, presented witness testimonies, including requests for release from two aunts.
Outraged Supporters Reacted to the Postponement of the Menendez Brothers’ Resentencing Case
The postponement left fans on X heartbroken upon learning that the Menendez brothers would spend another holiday in prison. One disappointed fan shared images of Erik and Lyle from their youth, expressing sympathy for their situation. Others noted that the brothers should have been released earlier, with one comment labeling their imprisonment as “crazy.” A fan mentioned, that they figured early the brothers would miss the holidays, expressing hope for a better year.
The fan was disappointed at the six-week delay, noting their hope for a smooth resentencing and timely release. The brothers’ resentencing hearing would reportedly include six witnesses. They would be primarily made up of prison staff, who would testify about their good behavior. This group also includes correctional officers and a lieutenant. The parties are reportedly well-equipped to speak on the brothers’ reform following their three-decade stint behind bars.
The fate of the Menendez brothers still remains undecided.
