2024-11-26 10:26:00
Los Angeles. A judge delayed until January a decision on whether to hold grudges against Eric Menendez and Lyle Menendez for murdering their parents in their Beverly Hills mansion 35 years ago, ending Family wants brothers released They went home for the year-end holidays.
Superior Court Judge Michael Jesic said during a hearing in Los Angeles that he needed time to review 17 boxes of documents and give the new Los Angeles County district attorney time to rule on the case.
“I’m not ready to proceed,” said Jesik, who set a hearing on the new sentencing request for Jan. 30 instead of Dec. 11 as originally planned.
The brothers were scheduled to attend the hearing, but technical issues prevented them from appearing virtually from a San Diego jail.
convicted of murder
In 1989, they were convicted of the murders of Jose and Kitty Menendez and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Their defense lawyers argued at trial that they were victims of sexual abuse by their father, but prosecutors denied this and accused them of killing their parents for money. They appealed multiple times over the next few years without success.
Now, at ages 53 and 56, Erik Menendez and Lyle Menendez are taking a new stab at freedom. His attorneys filed a habeas corpus petition in May 2023 asking the court to review whether a person was lawfully detained, asking a judge to consider new evidence of sexual abuse by his father. The brothers are incarcerated at the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego.
Jessik allowed two of the brothers’ aunts to testify on Monday after his lawyers argued it would be difficult for them to travel to the hearing.
Kitty Menendez’s sister Joan Andersen VanderMolen, who turns 93 on Tuesday, and Jose’s 85-year-old sister Teresita Ba Teresita Baralt called for the release of Eric and Lyle, saying 35 years is a long time for two brothers who suffered childhood abuse.
Ballart noted that she was very close to José and had lived across the street from him and Kitty for years, whom she called her best friend. “We miss those who have passed away so much,” Barrart said through tears after his speech. “But we also miss the kids.”
Both aunts said they had been in contact with the brothers despite not having met them. The hearing ended in less than an hour.
The recent release of the Netflix series “Monsters: The Lyle and Eric Menendez Story” and the 2024 documentary “The Menendez Brothers” have brought renewed attention to their situation.
Prosecutors last month recommended new sentences for the brothers.
Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascón called for a resentencing of 50 years to life in prison. That could make them immediately eligible for parole because they were under 26 when their parents were killed.
The brothers’ extended family said they deserved to be freed after spending decades in prison. In today’s world, where people are more aware of the impact of sexual abuse, the brothers will not be convicted of first-degree murder or sentenced to life in prison, several family members said.
Not all Menendez family members support the new verdict. Attorneys for Kitty Menendez’s 90-year-old brother, Milton Andersen, filed a complaint asking the court to uphold the brothers’ original punishment. “They shot his mother, Kitty, and reloaded to ensure her death,” Anderson’s attorneys said in a statement last month. “The evidence remains extremely clear: the jury’s verdict was just, The punishment fits the heinous crime.”
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This story was translated from English by AP editors with the help of generated artificial intelligence tools.
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What new evidence has been introduced in the Menendez brothers case, and how might it impact their potential release?
**Interview with Criminal Defense Attorney Jane Smith on the Menendez Brothers Case**
**Interviewer:** Good morning, Jane. Thank you for joining us today to discuss the latest developments in the Menendez brothers case.
**Jane Smith:** Good morning! I’m glad to be here.
**Interviewer:** As you know, a Los Angeles judge has recently delayed a decision on the Menendez brothers’ fate until January. Can you walk us through what this delay means for Eric and Lyle?
**Jane Smith:** Absolutely. The judge, Michael Jesic, has stated that he needs additional time to review 17 boxes of evidence and allow the new district attorney to weigh in on the case. This delay effectively postpones any potential sentencing decision, which means the brothers remain incarcerated for now. It’s important for the court to thoroughly consider all aspects of the case, especially given the complexity involved.
**Interviewer:** What are the main arguments being presented by their defense team regarding their potential release?
**Jane Smith:** The defense is focusing on new evidence that supports their longstanding claim of childhood sexual abuse by their father, which they argue contributed to the circumstances surrounding the tragic events of 1989. This evidence is critical as it challenges the original narrative that portrayed their actions solely as a quest for financial gain. Their attorneys filed a habeas corpus petition to challenge their detention lawfully.
**Interviewer:** The brothers’ aunts testified at the recent hearing, expressing support for their release. Why do you think family testimonies like this are significant?
**Jane Smith:** Family support can play a substantial role in legal proceedings. It humanizes the defendants and provides a personal context to the legal arguments. In this case, the aunts highlighted the abusive environment Eric and Lyle endured, which may resonate with the judge and influence the outcome. It shows there are loved ones who believe in their innocence and are invested in their rehabilitation.
**Interviewer:** Looking ahead, what do you predict will happen at the next hearing, scheduled for January 30?
**Jane Smith:** It’s difficult to say. The upcoming hearing will depend greatly on the findings from the review of the evidence and how the new district attorney approaches the case. If they view the new evidence as compelling, there could be a reconsideration of the men’s sentences. Conversely, if the DA decides not to pursue this angle, the case may remain stagnant. However, in a system that occasionally seeks to redress past injustices, there’s always a possibility that the brothers may receive a more favorable review than in the past.
**Interviewer:** Thanks for that insight, Jane. It’s definitely a case to keep an eye on as it unfolds.
**Jane Smith:** Thank you for having me! It’s an important case with profound implications, not just for the Menendez brothers, but for how we understand trauma and justice.
