Timeline of Menendez brothers: From the 1989 murders to their recent battle for freedom's restoration
In a dramatic turn of events, the Menendez brothers, Lyle and Erik, have been resentenced to 50 years to life in prison, making them eligible for parole earlier this year. This decision was made by Judge Michael Jesic on May 13, 2025, following a resentencing hearing.
The brothers, who were originally convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to two consecutive life prison terms without the possibility of parole in 1996, have been in prison since their arrest in March 1990. Their case has been a subject of intense public interest for over three decades.
The renewed hearing was prompted by a habeas corpus petition filed by the brothers in 2023, seeking a review of new evidence not presented at the original trial. However, on February 21, 2025, the new District Attorney, Nathan Hochman, asked the court to deny this petition, arguing the new evidence presented isn't credible or admissible.
During the resentencing hearing, both brothers admitted to lying for years and expressed remorse for their actions. This was a significant departure from their previous stance, where they maintained their innocence and claimed their parents were killed by intruders.
The decision to resentence the brothers was not made lightly. On February 26, 2025, California Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered the parole board to launch a "comprehensive risk assessment" investigation into whether the brothers pose "an unreasonable risk to the public" if released. This investigation was followed by a hearing on May 9, 2025, to determine whether the brothers' resentencing case should include information from the California Board of Parole's risk assessment.
The parole hearings for the brothers took place on August 21 and 22. The parole board’s decision was influenced by factors including the brothers' behaviour in prison, and the board concluded that both Lyle and Erik Menendez remain a risk. LA County District Attorney Nathan Hochman opposed their release, citing lack of full insight and rehabilitation.
Erik Menendez's parole hearing resulted in a denial of his release, setting a three-year denial before he can be eligible again. Lyle Menendez's parole hearing took place the following day, but the parole board’s decision has not yet been announced.
In a surprising twist, on August 13, 5:54 PM, Erik Menendez was diagnosed with a serious medical condition, according to family. This development could potentially impact his future parole hearings.
The Menendez brothers' case has been marked by controversy and division, with prosecutors alleging the brothers killed their parents for financial gain, while the defense argued they acted in self-defense due to years of sexual abuse by their father. In 1993, Erik and Lyle Menendez went on trial, each with their own jury. However, in 1994, the juries for Erik and Lyle Menendez deadlocked, and mistrials were declared for both cases.
In 2018, Lyle and Erik Menendez were reunited for the first time since 1996, and in 2023, they were reunited again for the first time since their arrest. Despite these developments, the brothers' future remains uncertain, with their parole hearings and health concerns still under consideration.
[1] News Source 1 [2] News Source 2
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