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Countdown to Freedom? The Menendez Brothers’ Final Bid for Release After 35 Years
< < Back toThe Menendez brothers, Lyle and Erik, have been in prison for 35 years after being convicted of the 1989 murders of their parents.
However, they are pursuing three different legal strategies to now be released from prison.
Originally, they were sentenced to two consecutive life sentences without parole. Their original trial defense was that the murders were in self-defense after Erik had long been sexually abused by his father. The State of California claimed they killed to obtain the estate of their parents.
Recently, a Netflix docudrama, “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story,” reignited the conversations about their trial and some new evidence has appeared as a result.
On this episode of Next Witness…Please, your co-hosts, retired judges Gayle William-Byers and Thomas Hodson delve into the three legal strategies at play to get the brothers released from custody.
On November 25, there is a habeas corpus petition hearing where new evidence will be presented to bolster Erik’s claim of being a victim of sexual abuse by his father. With that hearing, the judge could reverse the convictions and reopen the proceedings.
A second hearing is scheduled for Dec. 11. At that hearing, Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascon seeks resentencing of the Menendez brothers. He wants to reduce their sentences to 50 years to life which would make the Menendez brothers eligible for parole at this point.
However, the brothers would need to go before the parole board that only grants 35 percent of the requests for release.
Finally, the brothers are requesting clemency or pardons from California Governor Gavin Newsom. Our hosts define clemency and pardons in understandable language.
All matters are expected to be resolved by Christmas.