The fate of the Menendez brothers: new chances for freedom after 30 years
18 april 2025 в 21:13
Nearly 30 years after Lyle and Erik Menendez were convicted of killing their parents, their case is back in court — and this time they may have a chance at freedom.
It all started again due to increased public interest, partially sparked by the Netflix series «Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story». On October 24, 2024, former Los Angeles County prosecutor George Gascón held a press conference discussing the possible review of the Menendez brothers' case. Although Gascón was later replaced by Nathan Hochman, who opposed a new trial and attempted to overturn the decision to review, the legal proceedings continue.
Hollywood Life provides the latest information on the Menendez case review below.
During the press conference on October 24, 2024, former Los Angeles prosecutor Gascón stated that he had «decided to move forward» with the review of Erik and Lyle Menendez’s case. He also officially recommended that the brothers be reviewed and immediately considered for parole.
Gascón explained that the review of the case under California law does not necessarily focus on the initial crime, but rather evaluates whether the prisoner has been rehabilitated and can be safely released into society.
«Murder is not justified», - Gascón said, referring to the killing of Jose and Mary Louise «Kitty» Menendez in 1989. «Because even if you are wronged, the right path is to call the police, seek help». However, he acknowledged the desperation felt by many victims of violence, noting that some, especially women, «who have been beaten for years… sometimes kill their abuser».
«I believe they have served their debt to society», - Gascón added.
The Menendez brothers were scheduled to return to court on March 20, 2025 for a hearing on the case review. However, Prosecutor Hochman announced that he had asked the court to reject Lyle and Erik’s request for a new trial.
«We have re-examined the authenticity of the letters, especially this alleged 1988 letter from Erik Menendez to Andy Cano, weighed in the context of lies, and it raises serious doubts as to whether this 1988 letter, written by Erik Menendez to Andy Cano about sexual abuse, is genuine», - Hochman said.
Judge Michael Jessic held a hearing on April 11 to announce that the review procedures would continue on April 17 and 18, 2025. However, on the day the hearings were set to begin, the prosecution argued that a recent risk assessment conducted by the California Board of Parole Hearings at the request of Governor Gavin Newsom was necessary before the case could move forward. As a result, a new hearing was scheduled for May 9.
It is still unclear when the Menendez brothers may be released from prison.
When the brothers shot their parents in August 1989, Erik was 18 years old and Lyle was 21. They are now 54 and 57 years old, respectively.
After more than 30 years behind bars, Lyle and Erik, reportedly, have exhausted all the money they once had. Their net worth is currently unknown.
Some still believe that the brothers killed their parents to inherit their money — an accusation that both Lyle and Erik have called unfounded.
Erik and Lyle continue to assert the reason for the fatal shooting of their mother and father. During their trials in the 1990s, the brothers described the alleged emotional, physical, and sexual abuse they suffered as children. Throughout the trials, defense attorney Leslie Abramson supported the claims of both Erik and Lyle about the alleged sexual abuse they faced. Although Judge Stanley Weisberg sentenced them to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole in 1996, Erik and Lyle sought rehabilitation behind bars, as mentioned by Prosecutor Gascón in October 2024
It all started again due to increased public interest, partially sparked by the Netflix series «Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story». On October 24, 2024, former Los Angeles County prosecutor George Gascón held a press conference discussing the possible review of the Menendez brothers' case. Although Gascón was later replaced by Nathan Hochman, who opposed a new trial and attempted to overturn the decision to review, the legal proceedings continue.
Hollywood Life provides the latest information on the Menendez case review below.
During the press conference on October 24, 2024, former Los Angeles prosecutor Gascón stated that he had «decided to move forward» with the review of Erik and Lyle Menendez’s case. He also officially recommended that the brothers be reviewed and immediately considered for parole.
Gascón explained that the review of the case under California law does not necessarily focus on the initial crime, but rather evaluates whether the prisoner has been rehabilitated and can be safely released into society.
«Murder is not justified», - Gascón said, referring to the killing of Jose and Mary Louise «Kitty» Menendez in 1989. «Because even if you are wronged, the right path is to call the police, seek help». However, he acknowledged the desperation felt by many victims of violence, noting that some, especially women, «who have been beaten for years… sometimes kill their abuser».
«I believe they have served their debt to society», - Gascón added.
The Menendez brothers were scheduled to return to court on March 20, 2025 for a hearing on the case review. However, Prosecutor Hochman announced that he had asked the court to reject Lyle and Erik’s request for a new trial.
«We have re-examined the authenticity of the letters, especially this alleged 1988 letter from Erik Menendez to Andy Cano, weighed in the context of lies, and it raises serious doubts as to whether this 1988 letter, written by Erik Menendez to Andy Cano about sexual abuse, is genuine», - Hochman said.
Judge Michael Jessic held a hearing on April 11 to announce that the review procedures would continue on April 17 and 18, 2025. However, on the day the hearings were set to begin, the prosecution argued that a recent risk assessment conducted by the California Board of Parole Hearings at the request of Governor Gavin Newsom was necessary before the case could move forward. As a result, a new hearing was scheduled for May 9.
It is still unclear when the Menendez brothers may be released from prison.
When the brothers shot their parents in August 1989, Erik was 18 years old and Lyle was 21. They are now 54 and 57 years old, respectively.
After more than 30 years behind bars, Lyle and Erik, reportedly, have exhausted all the money they once had. Their net worth is currently unknown.
Some still believe that the brothers killed their parents to inherit their money — an accusation that both Lyle and Erik have called unfounded.
Erik and Lyle continue to assert the reason for the fatal shooting of their mother and father. During their trials in the 1990s, the brothers described the alleged emotional, physical, and sexual abuse they suffered as children. Throughout the trials, defense attorney Leslie Abramson supported the claims of both Erik and Lyle about the alleged sexual abuse they faced. Although Judge Stanley Weisberg sentenced them to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole in 1996, Erik and Lyle sought rehabilitation behind bars, as mentioned by Prosecutor Gascón in October 2024
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