After more than three decades behind bars, Erik and Lyle Menendez are once again at the center of national attention as a Los Angeles judge considers whether the brothers should be resentenced for the 1989 murders of their parents, Kitty and Jose Menendez.
The hearing, which began on Thursday and could extend into Friday, focuses on whether the Menendez brothers should receive lesser sentences, potentially making them eligible for parole. While this is not a retrial their guilt is not in question the hearing allows for new evidence and testimony regarding their lives since their incarceration and the alleged abuse they endured growing up.
In 1996, Erik and Lyle were convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life without parole after two trials. The first trial ended in a hung jury, largely due to their defense’s claims that they had been victims of years of sexual, physical, and emotional abuse by their father, a prominent entertainment executive. That argument was significantly limited in the second trial, where the judge restricted much of the testimony related to abuse.
New momentum for the brothers’ case came in 2023 when a motion for resentencing was filed, bolstered by fresh evidence, including a letter Erik wrote to a cousin describing the alleged abuse, and allegations from former Menudo member Roy Rosselló claiming that Jose Menendez abused him as well.
Their case has since drawn renewed public interest, especially after a Netflix documentary shed light on the abuse claims and presented the brothers’ version of events to a new generation.
Although resentencing could make the brothers eligible for parole, release is not guaranteed. They would still need to appear before a parole board and demonstrate they are not a threat to society.
Their legal team is also pursuing clemency from California Governor Gavin Newsom and has filed a request for a new trial. However, new district attorney Nathan Hochman remains opposed to their release, insisting the brothers have not fully accepted responsibility for their crimes.
Judge Michael Jesic is expected to rule on the resentencing soon, but it remains uncertain whether that decision will come immediately after the hearing.
