Menendez brothers: Dates set for resentencing hearings in famous case of Beverley Hills killers
Resentencing hearings for Erik and Lyle Menendez will move forward next week after a series of delays.
The brothers were sentenced in 1996 to life in prison without the possibility of parole for fatally shooting their entertainment executive father, Jose Menendez, and mother, Kitty Menendez, in their Beverly Hills home.
The brothers were 18 and 21 at the time of the killings. Defence lawyers argued the brothers acted out of self-defence after years of sexual abuse by their father, while prosecutors said the brothers killed their parents for a multimillion-dollar inheritance.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.LA County Superior Court Judge Michael Jesic on Friday set the hearings for next Tuesday and Wednesday.
The hearing was supposed to be about the defence lawyers’ request to remove the Los Angeles district attorney’s office from the case, but defence lawyers withdrew their motion. Prosecutors, meanwhile, tried again to withdraw the resentencing petition set under the prior district attorney. Jesic rejected their efforts.
Next week, the judge will hear arguments on the crucial question: Have Erik and Lyle Menendez been rehabilitated during 30 years in prison?
The brothers’ lawyers say yes.
Since their conviction, the brothers have gotten an education, participated in self-help classes and started various support groups for their fellow inmates.
Defence lawyer Mark Geragos said he plans to call seven family members to testify at the hearings.
If the brothers are resentenced, they could become immediately eligible for parole. The state parole board would ultimately rule on whether to release them from prison.
LA prosecutors oppose the brothers’ resentencing
The Menendez brothers are still waiting for the full results of a state parole board risk assessment ordered by California Governor Gavin Newsom ‘s office. The final hearing, scheduled for June 13, will influence whether Newsom grants the brothers clemency.
While parts of the risk assessment were disclosed in court Friday that could be unfavourable to the brothers’ case, Geragos emphasised they were only one component of the parole board’s evaluation, not meant to be made public and could still change.
