A prosecutor in Los Angeles has announced plans to request a judge to grant parole to Erik and Lyle Menendez after nearly 35 years in prison for the murder of their parents, following the emergence of new evidence suggesting they were sexually abused by their father over many years.
Now aged 56 and 53, the Menendez brothers were convicted in the wake of two sensational trials that captured the nation’s attention in the 1990s, largely due to their affluent background as the sons of a prominent record and entertainment executive.
Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón stated at a press conference that he would recommend to the court that their life sentences be amended to a 50 years to life sentence, allowing for immediate eligibility for parole considering their young ages at the time of their parents’ murders in 1989.
Lyle was 21 years old and Erik was 18 at that time.
However, he noted that some prosecutors within his office are against their release and may argue in an upcoming hearing for their continued imprisonment.
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The timeline for a court ruling remains uncertain.
Some relatives of the extended Menendez family, including the sister of the deceased father, have called for their release.
Jose Menendez was shot in the back of the head, while Kitty Menendez suffered 15 gunshot wounds at their home in Beverly Hills.
A recent Netflix series dramatizing their story has reignited interest in the case. For over a year, defense lawyers have been in discussions with prosecutors regarding the possibility of vacating the sentence or seeking a new trial, citing newly discovered evidence that supports the brothers’ claims of having been molested.
During their initial trial, which was aired on television and resulted in a hung jury in 1994, the brothers testified that they endured sexual mistreatment from both parents for years and claimed they acted in self-defense, asserting that their father had threatened to kill them if they disclosed the abuse.
Prosecutors contended that the brothers were motivated by a desire to inherit their parents’ multimillion-dollar estate.
In a subsequent non-televised trial, a jury convicted them, but also opted against the death penalty, instead sentencing them to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Mr. Gascón acknowledged that the brothers were responsible for their parents’ deaths, but highlighted new evidence, including a letter allegedly written by Erik Menendez to a cousin eight months before the murders, detailing the abuse.
Had this evidence been presented during the trial, it’s possible the jury would have reached a different conclusion, he remarked.
Mr. Gascón described the homicides as “horrible acts,” asserting, “there is no excuse for murder.”
Investigators are also looking into allegations from a former member of the 1980s pop group Menudo, who claimed he was abused by Jose Menendez.
These allegations were highlighted in the Peacock documentary series titled “Menendez + Menudo: Boys Betrayed,” released last year.
George Gascón expressed concern over remarks made by a member of the prosecution team at the time, suggesting that men could not be raped.
“Since the original prosecution…our office has gained a deeper understanding of the complexities surrounding sexual violence,” he stated.
Originally, Mr. Gascón had indicated he would wait for a court hearing on 26 November to make a decision, but chose to expedite the process due to significant public interest.
He is also currently facing a challenging re-election campaign against Nathan Hochman on 5 November.
Yesterday, Mr. Gascón refuted claims that political motives influenced his decision, noting that his office has resentenced 332 other convicts as part of his initiative to tackle “over-incarceration.”
