Brother Menendez's planned parole hearing commences on Thursday: Crucial insights to be aware of
Menendez Brothers Head to Parole Hearings after Three Decades in Prison
After spending three decades behind bars, Lyle Menendez and Erik Menendez are set to face parole hearings this week, scheduled for Thursday and Friday respectively. The brothers, who were initially sentenced to life without the possibility of parole for the 1989 murders of their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez, have shown signs of growth and remorse, according to their family.
The parole hearings mark a significant step towards their potential release, as the parole board will determine their suitability for parole after the hearings. If parole is granted, the Menendez brothers would be eligible for immediate release, a decision that would take about five months to finalize.
The brothers submitted a habeas corpus petition in 2023, attempting to get another trial based on new evidence not originally presented in court. However, LA County DA Nathan Hochman has opposed their release, stating that the petition does not meet the factual or legal standard to warrant a new trial.
Hochman's statement also indicates that the "so-called 'new' evidence" doesn't challenge any of the determinations made in the convictions of the Menendez brothers. He further asserted that the central defense of the brothers at trial has always been self-defense, not sexual abuse, and that the jury rejected this self-defense defense in finding them guilty of the horrific murders they perpetrated.
The new evidence presented in the habeas corpus petition includes allegations from a former member of the boy band Menudo, who revealed in the 2023 docuseries "Menendez + Menudo: Boys Betrayed" that he was raped by Jose Menendez. However, it remains unclear whether any person filed an appeal procedure against the Menendez brothers' verdicts in August 2023 based on this new evidence.
Lyle Menendez admitted to committing perjury by lying in court in the '90s and apologized to his family for years of lies and the shock and grief of the crimes. Erik Menendez also admitted to lying for years and apologized during their resentencing hearing, where Judge Michael Jesic resentenced them to 50 years to life in prison, making them immediately eligible for parole.
The Menendez brothers' family has expressed cautious optimism, stating they have shown sustained growth, taken full accountability, and expressed sincere remorse. If parole is denied, the denial could be for either three, five, seven, 10, or 15 years. The final decisions on parole will go to California Gov. Gavin Newsom to approve, deny, or modify.
The petition also includes a letter Erik Menendez wrote to his cousin eight months before the murders detailing his alleged abuse. The cousin testified about the alleged abuse at trial, but the letter -- which would have corroborated the cousin's testimony -- wasn't unearthed until several years ago, according to the brothers' attorney. However, it's unclear how this new evidence will impact the parole hearings.
As the Menendez brothers prepare for their parole hearings, the future remains uncertain. The parole board's decision will be a critical turning point in their lives, potentially marking the end of their long prison sentence or extending it further.
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