Choose reduces Menendez brothers’ homicide sentences, placing them a step nearer to freedom

Crime

Los Angeles County Superior Courtroom Choose Michael Jesic lowered the brothers’ sentences from life with out parole to 50 years to life.

By JAIMIE DING, Related Press

Could 13, 2025

4 minutes to learn

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Erik and Lyle Menendez could have a brand new shot at freedom after 35 years behind bars for murdering their mother and father, a choose dominated Tuesday.

Los Angeles County Superior Courtroom Choose Michael Jesic lowered the brothers’ sentences from life with out parole to 50 years to life. Which means they’re now eligible for parole below California’s youthful offender legislation as a result of they dedicated the crime below the age of 26. The state parole board should nonetheless determine whether or not to launch them from jail.

Whereas the sentence discount is a serious win for the brothers, protection lawyer Mark Geragos mentioned he had been looking for to have their expenses lowered to manslaughter, which might have allowed them be instantly launched. The choose didn’t go that far.

The brothers appeared through livestream video and spoke for the primary time in courtroom earlier than the ruling.

“I killed my mother and pa. I make no excuses and likewise no justification,” Lyle mentioned in an announcement to the courtroom. “The affect of my violent actions on my household … is unfathomable.”

Erik additionally spoke about taking accountability for his actions and apologizing to his household. “You didn’t deserve what I did to you, however you encourage me to do higher,” he mentioned.

The choose mentioned that after he had given “lengthy thought” to what sentences the brothers deserved, he gave them “numerous credit score for altering their lives.”

He mentioned he was particularly moved by a letter that was submitted by a jail official who wrote in assist of the resentencing, one thing he had by no means achieved for any incarcerated particular person in 25 years.

“I’m not saying they need to be launched, it’s not for me to determine,” Jesic mentioned. “I do consider they’ve achieved sufficient previously 35 years, that they need to get that probability.”

The brothers had been sentenced in 1996 to life in jail with out the potential of parole for murdering their father, Jose Menendez, and mom, Kitty Menendez, of their Beverly Hills residence in 1989. The brothers had been 18 and 21 on the time.

Whereas protection attorneys argued the Menendez brothers acted out of self-defense after years of sexual abuse by their father, prosecutors mentioned the brothers killed their mother and father for a multimillion-dollar inheritance.

The case has captured the general public’s consideration for many years. Supporters of the brothers have flown in from throughout the nation to attend rallies and hearings previously few months.

“We’ve developed,” Geragos mentioned. “This isn’t the ’90s anymore. We’ve a extra sturdy understanding of numerous issues.”

The protection started by calling Anamaria Baralt, a cousin of Erik and Lyle, who testified that the brothers have repeatedly expressed regret for his or her actions.

“All of us, on either side of the household, consider that 35 years is sufficient,” Baralt mentioned. “They’re universally forgiven by our household.”

One other cousin, Tamara Goodell, mentioned they’d contribute numerous good to the world if launched.

“They’re an actual household,” Geragos mentioned. “Actual individuals who have lived via unimaginable horrors. And I’m hopeful and glad that we’re one big step nearer to bringing the boys residence.”

Diane Hernandez, who additionally testified throughout Erik and Lyle’s first trial, spoke concerning the abuse she witnessed within the Menendez family when she lived with them.

“When Jose was with one of many boys … you couldn’t even go up the steps to be on the identical ground,” Hernandez mentioned of the daddy.

The Related Press doesn’t usually title individuals who say they’ve been sexually abused except they arrive ahead publicly.

Los Angeles County prosecutors argued towards the resentencing. Los Angeles District Lawyer Nathan Hochman mentioned the brothers had not taken full accountability for the crime.

Geragos emphasised that the aim of resentencing is to “encourage rehabilitation.”

“That’s the legislation,” Geragos mentioned, “not relitigate the info of the crime because the D.A. needs to do.”

The earlier LA County District Lawyer George Gascón had opened the door to potential freedom for the Menendez brothers final fall by asking a choose to cut back their sentences. His workplace mentioned the case would’ve been dealt with otherwise at present as a consequence of fashionable understandings of sexual abuse and trauma.

A resentencing petition laid out by Gascón centered on the brothers’ accomplishments and rehabilitation. Since their conviction, the brothers have gotten an schooling, participated in self-help lessons and began varied assist teams for fellow individuals in jail.

A former choose who mentioned he thought of himself robust on crime, Jonathan Colby, advised the courtroom that he was impressed with the packages the brothers began throughout their time in jail to look after older and disabled individuals in jail. He received to know them over a sequence of visits.

“There’s not many prisoners I meet like Erik and Lyle which have such concern for the aged,” he mentioned.

Anerae Brown, who had been previously incarcerated, cried as he testified about how the brothers helped him heal and get on the trail to rehabilitation, resulting in his launch from jail.

“I’ve kids now,” he mentioned. “With out Lyle and Erik I would nonetheless be sitting in there doing silly issues.”