Almost three decades after the brothers Erik and Lyle Menendez were sentenced to life imprisonment for their parents’ murders, a California judge reopened a door that many believed would remain closed.
In a surprising decision on Tuesday (13), Judge Michael Jesic of the Los Angeles County Superior Court reduced the penalties of the perpetual imprisonment without parole to 50 years in life imprisonment-making them eligible for parole.
The decision is the latest turnaround in a case that captivated the United States for decades, with an army of lawyers, family and online supporters launching in recent years a renewed campaign for the freedom of the siblings.
This action was driven in part by a wave of attention brought by a documentary series and a dramatic series of Netflix that retell the case.
Who are the menendez brothers:
Lyle Menendez, 57, and Brother Erik Menendez, 54, spent most adult lives behind bars for the murders of his parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez at the family home in Beverly Hills in 1989.
The brothers, who were 21 and 18 when they shot their parents, were convicted of first -degree murder in a 1996 trial, more than two years after separate juries did not have a verdict in the original hearings.
The brothers admitted the murders, but claimed that they acted in self -defense after years of sexual abuse committed by their father.
Prosecutors claimed that the murders were motivated by the brothers’ desire to receive a multimillionaire inheritance.
What the judge said:
The decision of Judge Michael Jesic of the Los Angeles County Superior Court means that the Menendez brothers are immediately eligible for parole under California law, as they committed the murders when they were under 26.
The authority said that although the two committed a horrible crime, they deserved “a lot of credit for changing their lives.”
A letter from an arrest official in support of the new sentence was especially moving, the judge commented.
The brothers launched several prison programs, including a support group for disabilities and the elderly, and raised more than $ 250,000 for an initiative to beautify the prison, according to previous court documents.
“I’m not saying they should be released, it’s not up to me,” Jesic said, adding, “One day they must have that chance.”
“Now it is up to the Conditional Council of California’s governor,” he said.
What happens below:
A hearing with the California State Council for Conditional Freedom is already scheduled for June 13, as part of a separate request for freedom from the brothers.
The board may deny their request or recommend to the governor to grant them conditional freedom.
If the jury group recommend the granting of parole, the decision will be up to the governor of California, Gavin Newsom, who will have 120 days to act.
THE CNN Contact the Governor’s Office and the State Council for Conditional Freedom to obtain comments on the decision.
The new sentence is one of several legal ways the brothers seek to ensure liberation.
They also filed a habeas corpus request seeking a new judgment and asked the news to Newsom.
Why the supporters say they should be released:
Dozens of Menendez relatives claim that Erik and Lyle have shown years of remorse and rehabilitation since the murder of their parents.
They also argue that the severity of the sentence should be reviewed due to a thorough cultural understanding of child sexual abuse since the murders.
The brothers’ request for liberation received a new attention in 2023, when a former Bond Band Menudo member publicly accused José Menendez-then a high RCA Records executive-to rape him in the mid-1980s.
In recent months, supporters from all over the country have gathered in rallies and hearings defending the release of the brothers.
They claim that prosecutors and the media ignored abuse allegations and frame the Menendez as arrogant and presumptuous heirs of the $ 14 million heritage of parents during judgments in the 1990s.
Diane Hernandez, a cousin who lived with the Menendez family, witnessed on Tuesday (13) about Joseph’s intimidation, including a rigid “runner rule” that prevented others from spending time with their brothers.
What the brothers said:
“I am moved and honored with the demonstration of support,” said Erik Menendez in a statement issued to ABC News on Tuesday night after the decision.
“This has to be the first step to giving hope to people who have no hope in prison,” he said. “My goal is to ensure that there are no more people spending 35 years in prison without hope. This possibility of expecting that rehabilitation works is more important than anything that happened to me today.”
The previous Tuesday (6), the brothers said they assumed “total responsibility” for the murders when they attended the remote judge of the prison.
“I committed an atrocious act against two people who had every right to live, my mother and father,” said Erik, adding that he “caused a devastating sadness” to the family and that there was no “excuse” for such behavior.
“I will never stop trying to make a difference, whether I am in or out of prison,” he added.
Lyle also admitted to killing her parents, saying she was “immature” and “full of anger.” “If I had trusted the help of others, I would not have committed these crimes,” he said. “I didn’t think anyone would believe me about my sexual abuse.”
What do those who oppose their liberation say:
Critics argue that the murders were calculated acts of greed, not acts of despair of abuse victims.
Although the brothers’ case was defended by former Los Angeles County Public Promotor, the successor, Nathan Hochman, has taken on a harder position against their liberation.
“The decision to reconsider Erik and Lyle Menendez’s sentence was monumental and has significant implications for families involved, the community and the principles of justice,” Hochman said in a statement on Tuesday night.
“Our office’s requests to withdraw the request for reconsideration of the judgment filed by the previous administration have ensured that the court was aware of all the facts before making such a consequent decision.”
The previous Tuesday, Hochman told the CNN that the brothers had “manufactured” allegations of abuse and should first take responsibility for their own actions before seeking parole.
“If and when they do, they will be ready for a new sentence,” he added.
Hochman also highlighted the recent discovery of risk assessments conducted by the State Council for Conditional Freedom that the brothers would pose a “moderate” risk of violence if they were released.
This content was originally published in Menendez Brothers: See the next steps after sentence is reviewed on the CNN Brazil website.
Source: CNN Brasil
Bruce Belcher is a seasoned author with over 5 years of experience in world news. He writes for online news websites and provides in-depth analysis on the world stock market. Bruce is known for his insightful perspectives and commitment to keeping the public informed.
