Los Angeles prosecutor recommends resentencing Menendez brothers for 1989 murders
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On Thursday, George Gascón, the District Attorney of Los Angeles County, requested that the sentences of brothers Erik and Lyle Menendez be reconsidered. The men are currently serving life sentences without the chance of parole for the infamous murders of their parents, which took place in Beverly Hills in 1989.
"I've reached a decision where I think it’s right to reconsider the sentence according to the law," the prosecutor stated. "I plan to suggest this to the court tomorrow."
The official mentioned that he plans to request a sentence ranging from 50 years to life in prison. According to the law, since the brothers were both under 26 when they committed the offenses, they would qualify for youthful parole right away, as stated by Gascón. However, the final decision on the resentencing will require approval from a court.
At the ages of 18 and 21, the siblings took the lives of their parents, Kitty and José Menendez, the latter being a well-known figure in the entertainment industry.
The brothers initially contended that they ought to face charges of manslaughter. They asserted that they took their parents' lives as a response to years of sexual abuse from their father, who allegedly threatened to murder them if they revealed the abuse.
Family members praised the choice to pursue a new sentencing, describing it as a “courageous and kind move.”
Cousin Joan Andersen VanderMolen expressed at Thursday's press conference, "This choice goes beyond legal issues. It serves as an acknowledgment of the mistreatment my cousins faced."
The district attorney mentioned that his office did not have a complete consensus regarding the decision to resentence, which factored in new information related to the case. This evidence included a letter Erik sent to a cousin discussing the alleged sexual abuse prior to the murder, as well as a member of the boy band Menudo alleging that he was also a victim of abuse by José.
On Thursday, the district attorney emphasized that the decision was not swayed by political factors. He highlighted the importance of listening to victims of abuse and ensuring that those charged with murder face appropriate consequences.
"I want to emphasize that these were terrible actions," Gascón stated during the press conference. "There’s no justification for taking a life, and I will never suggest that we are trying to mitigate that behavior in any way. Even in cases of abuse, the appropriate course of action is to contact law enforcement and seek assistance. I also recognize how desperation can drive people to act in certain ways."
Initially, the prosecutors claimed that the young men murdered their parents to inherit their multi-million dollar estate. During the seven months between the murders and their arrest, the brothers indulged in extravagant spending, purchasing a Porsche sports car, $40,000 worth of clothing, and a $15,000 Rolex watch.
Following the initial trial, which resulted in a jury that could not reach a decision, the Menendez brothers were eventually found guilty of murder and received life sentences without the possibility of parole in 1996.
Relatives and famous personalities have urged for the brothers' release, stating that if this case were judged today, it would likely be handled differently due to a greater awareness and attention to sexual abuse allegations.
In an essay dated October 3, Kim Kardashian expressed her belief that the allegations of abuse made by the brothers were not given a fair consideration in court. She pointed out that society as a whole did not treat their accusations with the seriousness they deserved.
Kardashian expressed that the sentences given to these brothers seemed more appropriate for a serial killer rather than for two individuals who had suffered through years of sexual abuse at the hands of those they cared for and relied on.
Interest in the case has increased significantly in recent months due to two Netflix productions: a documentary and a dramatized series called Ryan Murphy’s Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story. Additionally, an updated edition of a comprehensive book about the murders has also been re-released.
A docuseries released in 2023 on Peacock brought additional complexities to the case.
In the documentary "Menendez + Menudo: Boys Betrayed," Roy Rosselló, who used to be part of the famous Puerto Rican boy band Menudo, alleges that he was drugged and sexually assaulted by José Menendez during his teenage years.
The Menendez brothers won't be in court tomorrow when the district attorney's office seeks a new sentencing, according to Gascón.
Mark Geragos, the lawyer representing the Menendez brothers, expressed to NBC Los Angeles his desire to secure their release before the year concludes.
