On Friday, a Southern California judge paved the way for a legal review to determine whether Erik and Lyle Menendez should be resentenced for the 1989 shotgun killings of their parents. Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Michael Jesic denied a motion from the district attorney’s office that aimed to withdraw a prior recommendation to reduce the brothers’ sentences from life without parole to 50 years to life. A hearing is scheduled for April 17 and 18 to further consider the matter.
If the judge accepts the earlier recommendation, the Menendez brothers—who have spent 35 years in prison for the murders of Jose and Kitty Menendez—could become eligible for parole. Friday’s ruling followed a tense courtroom exchange between a deputy district attorney and a defense lawyer, with Judge Jesic urging both sides to save their arguments for the upcoming hearing.
Appearing via video from a San Diego prison, the Menendez brothers listened as prosecutors argued the brutality of the crime should bar any sentence reduction.
District Attorney Nathan Hochman has firmly opposed resentencing, arguing the brothers haven’t shown full accountability or remorse and still pose a threat to public safety.
In a court filing, prosecutors listed numerous alleged falsehoods the brothers have yet to address—chiefly their claim of acting in self-defense due to alleged abuse.
Defense attorneys dismissed Hochman’s stance as baseless, pointing out that previous DA George Gascón had already reviewed and dismissed those concerns.
