Prosecutors in California are currently reviewing the convictions of the Menendez brothers, who were convicted in 1989 for the murder of their parents. This review aims to assess whether they should be resentenced or possibly released, according to officials’ statements on Thursday.
Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón announced that his office is also examining evidence related to petitions filed by the brothers last year, in which they alleged that their father had sexually abused them.
Gascón noted that these allegations are still under investigation and have not yet been confirmed. A hearing is set for November 26 to further discuss the matter.
In evaluating the case, prosecutors will consider the brothers’ behavior during their time in prison and decide if they warrant resentencing, Gascón explained, indicating that the court’s decision could lead to their release. “Until we get there, we’re not sure yet which direction this will go,” he said.
Joseph “Lyle” Menendez, now 56, and Erik Menendez, now 53, were found guilty in 1996 for the shotgun murders of their parents at their Beverly Hills home, a crime committed seven years earlier. Following two trials, they were sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole and continue to serve their sentences in California.
During their first trial, the brothers claimed they were victims of long-term sexual abuse by their father. However, prosecutors argued they killed their parents to inherit their wealth, resulting in a mistrial. In their second trial, the abuse claims were less emphasized, leading to their conviction and subsequent life sentences without parole.
The announcement from the district attorney comes amid the release of a new Netflix series titled “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story,” which has sparked controversy. In a statement from Erik Menendez’s wife, Erik claimed the series contained “blatant lies” and was “ruinous” for his brother.
Series creator Ryan Murphy defended the show, stating that he often tackles provocative and controversial subjects in his work.
On the same day, Kim Kardashian publicly expressed her support for the brothers, writing in a personal essay for NBC News, “They are not monsters.”
District Attorney Gascón, who is currently seeking re-election, highlighted at the news conference that over 300 individuals have been resentenced during his tenure, with only four subsequently committing new crimes.