A Los Angeles County judge on Monday postponed a hearing on the possible release of Lyle and Erik Menendez after 35 years in prison for the shotgun murders of their parents, saying he wanted to hear from the new district attorney who will take office in December 3rd.
“I’m not ready to proceed,” Superior Court Judge Michael Jesic said. “I want the new administration to examine the documents.”
The Menendez brothers were convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole after two high-profile trials for killing their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez, in 1989.
The case captivated the US in the 1990s because of the wealth and privilege of the brothers who were the sons of a record and entertainment executive. A recent Netflix documentary series has uncovered new evidence and revived public interest in the case.
This evidence supports their claims that they were sexually abused by their father for years, leading the current district attorney to support their release.
At Monday’s hearing, defense attorneys attempted to reduce the first-degree murder conviction to voluntary manslaughter, which could make them eligible for release.
Continues after advertising
The judge rescheduled the hearing for January 30, but still decided to hear testimony from two of Menendez’s relatives who support the release of the brothers, now 56 and 53 years old. The brothers were supposed to follow the proceedings via video link from prison, but technical difficulties prevented this, at least temporarily.
District Attorney George Gascon said the new evidence, combined with a more modern understanding of sexual abuse, led him to request reconsideration of the sentence, claiming they have now paid their debt to society.
