Latest news with #Monsters:LyleandErikMenendezStory
Vancouver Sun
14-05-2025
- Vancouver Sun
The Menendez brothers had their sentences reduced. What's next?
The 1989 shotgun murders of Jose and Kitty Menendez in Los Angeles gripped the nation. The killings of the entertainment executive and his wife in their wealthy Beverly Hills neighborhood were brutal. Their son Lyle Menendez was the one who called 911, with the brothers initially claiming the killing was Mafia-related or connected to their father's business dealings. Lyle Menendez was attending Princeton University, and his younger brother Erik Menendez was a tennis star. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. The brothers were later arrested, charged and convicted for their parents' deaths. The brothers have argued that they committed the crimes in self-defense after years of abuse by their father. On Tuesday, the brothers were granted their first chance at freedom in decades. A Los Angeles judge reduced the brothers' sentences from life in prison without parole to 50 years to life, making them immediately eligible for parole. Here's what to know: Coming on the heels of the O.J. Simpson trial, the nation was hungry for true crime TV. The brothers' first trial was one of the first to be almost entirely televised on Court TV. It spawned documentaries, television specials and dramatizations. The Netflix drama 'Monsters: Lyle and Erik Menendez Story' and the documentary 'The Menendez Brothers,' released in the fall of 2024, have been credited for bringing new attention to the case. The brothers' lawyers turned to family members and those who knew the brothers since their conviction to speak to their character and rehabilitation in prison in front of Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Michael Jesic. The Menendez family have supported the brothers and called for their release since their resentencing effort began last fall. Prosecutors, who have opposed the brothers' resentencing, did not call any witnesses. They've argued the brothers haven't taken full responsibility for their crimes. Erik and Lyle Menendez appeared virtually to read their statements to the court. 'You did not deserve what I did to you, but you inspire me to do better,' Erik Menendez said, addressing his family. Jesic issued his decision immediately after the brothers spoke, granting them a new sentence of 50 years to life. The brothers are immediately eligible for parole under California's youthful offender law because they committed the crime at ages 18 and 21, both under the age of 26. Parole suitability hearings are conducted by a state board to determine if a person should be released. An inmate will be scheduled for their first hearing no later than six months following their eligibility date, according to board policy. They already have a hearing before the board scheduled for June 13 in a clemency petition they've submitted to Gov. Gavin Newsom. It's not yet clear if that will serve as their formal parole hearing or if a separate one will be scheduled. Newsom ordered the state parole board to conduct a comprehensive risk assessment for him to determine their danger to the public if released. Anne Bremner, a trial lawyer in Seattle, said the brothers will have some pressure on them to prepare for the parole board and impress upon them that they should be let out. 'My guess is the parole board has been watching this and of course they've done these risk assessments already,' she said. They know 'who these two are, what their alleged crimes were and what they've done since the time that they were incarcerated until today.' If they are denied at their first parole hearing, they will continue to receive subsequent hearings until they are granted release. If parole is granted, Newsom could still move to override the board. If he lets the parole decision stand, the brothers would be released from prison. In May 2023, the brothers' attorneys also filed a petition for habeas corpus to the court, asking for a new trial in light of new evidence of their sexual abuse. LA prosecutors have filed a motion opposing that petition, but its status is unclear. Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here .
Chicago Tribune
14-05-2025
- Chicago Tribune
The Menendez brothers had their sentences reduced. What's next?
LOS ANGELES — The 1989 shotgun murders of Jose and Kitty Menendez in Los Angeles gripped the nation. The killings of the entertainment executive and his wife in their wealthy Beverly Hills neighborhood were brutal. Their son Lyle Menendez was the one who called 911, with the brothers initially claiming the killing was Mafia-related or connected to their father's business dealings. Lyle Menendez was attending Princeton University, and his younger brother Erik Menendez was a tennis star. Judge reduces Menendez brothers' murder sentences, putting them a step closer to freedomThe brothers were later arrested, charged and convicted for their parents' deaths. The brothers have argued that they committed the crimes in self-defense after years of abuse by their father. On Tuesday, the brothers were granted their first chance at freedom in decades. A Los Angeles judge reduced the brothers' sentences from life in prison without parole to 50 years to life, making them immediately eligible for parole. Here's what to know: Coming on the heels of the O.J. Simpson trial, the nation was hungry for true crime TV. The brothers' first trial was one of the first to be almost entirely televised on Court TV. It spawned documentaries, television specials and dramatizations. The Netflix drama ' Monsters: Lyle and Erik Menendez Story ' and the documentary 'The Menendez Brothers,' released in the fall of 2024, have been credited for bringing new attention to the case. The brothers' lawyers turned to family members and those who knew the brothers since their conviction to speak to their character and rehabilitation in prison in front of Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Michael Jesic. The Menendez family have supported the brothers and called for their release since their resentencing effort began last fall. Prosecutors, who have opposed the brothers' resentencing, did not call any witnesses. They've argued the brothers haven't taken full responsibility for their crimes. Erik and Lyle Menendez appeared virtually to read their statements to the court. 'You did not deserve what I did to you, but you inspire me to do better,' Erik Menendez said, addressing his family. Jesic issued his decision immediately after the brothers spoke, granting them a new sentence of 50 years to life. The brothers are immediately eligible for parole under California's youthful offender law because they committed the crime at ages 18 and 21, both under the age of 26. Parole suitability hearings are conducted by a state board to determine if a person should be released. An inmate will be scheduled for their first hearing no later than six months following their eligibility date, according to board policy. They already have a hearing before the board scheduled for June 13 in a clemency petition they've submitted to Gov. Gavin Newsom. It's not yet clear if that will serve as their formal parole hearing or if a separate one will be scheduled. Newsom ordered the state parole board to conduct a comprehensive risk assessment for him to determine their danger to the public if released. Anne Bremner, a trial lawyer in Seattle, said the brothers will have some pressure on them to prepare for the parole board and impress upon them that they should be let out. 'My guess is the parole board has been watching this and of course they've done these risk assessments already,' she said. They know 'who these two are, what their alleged crimes were and what they've done since the time that they were incarcerated until today.' If they are denied at their first parole hearing, they will continue to receive subsequent hearings until they are granted release. If parole is granted, Newsom could still move to override the board. If he lets the parole decision stand, the brothers would be released from prison. In May 2023, the brothers' attorneys also filed a petition for habeas corpus to the court, asking for a new trial in light of new evidence of their sexual abuse. LA prosecutors have filed a motion opposing that petition, but its status is unclear.
Express Tribune
14-05-2025
- Express Tribune
Menendez brothers eligible for parole after resentencing: will they be released?
Listen to article More than three decades after the shocking murders of their parents, Erik and Lyle Menendez have been granted a path toward potential release from prison. A Los Angeles judge on Tuesday reduced their sentences from life without parole to 50 years to life, making both men immediately eligible for parole under California's youthful offender law. The decision marks a major turning point in a case that has remained in the public spotlight since the 1989 killings of Hollywood executive José Menendez and his wife Kitty in their Beverly Hills mansion. Initially framed as a possible mob-related crime by Lyle Menendez in a 911 call, the case took a sensational turn when the brothers were arrested and tried for murder. Now aged in their 50s, the Menendez brothers appeared via video call during the resentencing hearing. Erik Menendez addressed his family in court, saying, "You did not deserve what I did to you, but you inspire me to do better." Judge Michael Jesic announced the sentence reduction shortly after hearing the brothers' statements. The brothers' parole eligibility falls under a state law allowing those who committed crimes under age 26 to be considered for release. Erik was 18 and Lyle 21 at the time of the killings. A parole board hearing is already scheduled for June 13 as part of a clemency request submitted to Governor Gavin Newsom. It is unclear whether that hearing will double as their formal parole review. Legal analyst Anne Bremner said the brothers will face pressure to demonstrate their rehabilitation. 'My guess is the parole board has been watching this… They know what the crimes were and what the brothers have done since incarceration.' If parole is granted, Newsom has the authority to overturn the decision. Alternatively, if parole is denied, the brothers will continue to receive future hearings. Separately, a 2023 habeas corpus petition citing new evidence of sexual abuse remains pending, with prosecutors having filed a motion to oppose it. The Menendez brothers' story has seen renewed public interest thanks to the Netflix drama Monsters: Lyle and Erik Menendez Story and a 2024 documentary. The case continues to provoke debate about justice, abuse, and redemption.
Boston Globe
14-05-2025
- Boston Globe
The Menendez brothers had their sentences reduced. What's next?
The brothers were later arrested, charged and convicted for their parents' deaths. The brothers have argued that they committed the crimes in self-defense after years of abuse by their father. On Tuesday, the brothers were granted their first chance at freedom in decades. A Los Angeles judge reduced the brothers' sentences from life in prison without parole to 50 years to life, making them immediately eligible for parole. Advertisement Here's what to know: Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up Why is the case famous? Coming on the heels of the O.J. Simpson trial, the nation was hungry for true crime TV. The brothers' first trial was one of the first to be almost entirely televised on Court TV. It spawned documentaries, television specials and dramatizations. The Netflix drama " Monsters: Lyle and Erik Menendez Story " and the documentary 'The Menendez Brothers,' released in the fall of 2024, have been credited for bringing new attention to the case. What happened at resentencing? The brothers' lawyers turned to family members and those who knew the brothers since their conviction to speak to their character and rehabilitation in prison in front of Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Michael Jesic. The Menendez family have supported the brothers and called for their release since their resentencing effort began last fall. Advertisement Prosecutors, who have opposed the brothers' resentencing, did not call any witnesses. They've argued the brothers haven't taken full responsibility for their crimes. Erik and Lyle Menendez appeared virtually to read their statements to the court. 'You did not deserve what I did to you, but you inspire me to do better,' Erik Menendez said, addressing his family. Jesic issued his decision immediately after the brothers spoke, granting them a new sentence of 50 years to life. How soon could they go before the parole board? The brothers are immediately eligible for parole under California's youthful offender law because they committed the crime at ages 18 and 21, both under the age of 26. Parole suitability hearings are conducted by a state board to determine if a person should be released. An inmate will be scheduled for their first hearing no later than six months following their eligibility date, according to board policy. They already have a hearing before the board scheduled for June 13 in a clemency petition they've submitted to Gov. Gavin Newsom. It's not yet clear if that will serve as their formal parole hearing or if a separate one will be scheduled. Newsom ordered the state parole board to conduct a comprehensive risk assessment for him to determine their danger to the public if released. Anne Bremner, a trial lawyer in Seattle, said the brothers will have some pressure on them to prepare for the parole board and impress upon them that they should be let out. 'My guess is the parole board has been watching this and of course they've done these risk assessments already,' she said. They know 'who these two are, what their alleged crimes were and what they've done since the time that they were incarcerated until today.' Advertisement What happens if parole is denied or granted? If they are denied at their first parole hearing, they will continue to receive subsequent hearings until they are granted release. If parole is granted, Newsom could still move to override the board. If he lets the parole decision stand, the brothers would be released from prison. What other avenues do they have for release? In May 2023, the brothers' attorneys also filed a petition for habeas corpus to the court, asking for a new trial in light of new evidence of their sexual abuse. LA prosecutors have filed a motion opposing that petition, but its status is unclear. Associated Press writer Hallie Golden in Seattle contributed.
San Francisco Chronicle
14-05-2025
- San Francisco Chronicle
The Menendez brothers had their sentences reduced. What's next?
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The 1989 shotgun murders of Jose and Kitty Menendez in Los Angeles gripped the nation. The killings of the entertainment executive and his wife in their wealthy Beverly Hills neighborhood were brutal. Their son Lyle Menendez was the one who called 911, with the brothers initially claiming the killing was Mafia-related or connected to their father's business dealings. Lyle Menendez was attending Princeton University, and his younger brother Erik Menendez was a tennis star. The brothers were later arrested, charged and convicted for their parents' deaths. The brothers have argued that they committed the crimes in self-defense after years of abuse by their father. On Tuesday, the brothers were granted their first chance at freedom in decades. A Los Angeles judge reduced the brothers' sentences from life in prison without parole to 50 years to life, making them immediately eligible for parole. Here's what to know: Why is the case famous? Coming on the heels of the O.J. Simpson trial, the nation was hungry for true crime TV. The brothers' first trial was one of the first to be almost entirely televised on Court TV. It spawned documentaries, television specials and dramatizations. The Netflix drama ' Monsters: Lyle and Erik Menendez Story ' and the documentary 'The Menendez Brothers,' released in the fall of 2024, have been credited for bringing new attention to the case. What happened at resentencing? The brothers' lawyers turned to family members and those who knew the brothers since their conviction to speak to their character and rehabilitation in prison in front of Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Michael Jesic. The Menendez family have supported the brothers and called for their release since their resentencing effort began last fall. Prosecutors, who have opposed the brothers' resentencing, did not call any witnesses. They've argued the brothers haven't taken full responsibility for their crimes. Erik and Lyle Menendez appeared virtually to read their statements to the court. 'You did not deserve what I did to you, but you inspire me to do better,' Erik Menendez said, addressing his family. Jesic issued his decision immediately after the brothers spoke, granting them a new sentence of 50 years to life. How soon could they go before the parole board? The brothers are immediately eligible for parole under California's youthful offender law because they committed the crime at ages 18 and 21, both under the age of 26. Parole suitability hearings are conducted by a state board to determine if a person should be released. An inmate will be scheduled for their first hearing no later than six months following their eligibility date, according to board policy. They already have a hearing before the board scheduled for June 13 in a clemency petition they've submitted to Gov. Gavin Newsom. It's not yet clear if that will serve as their formal parole hearing or if a separate one will be scheduled. Newsom ordered the state parole board to conduct a comprehensive risk assessment for him to determine their danger to the public if released. Anne Bremner, a trial lawyer in Seattle, said the brothers will have some pressure on them to prepare for the parole board and impress upon them that they should be let out. 'My guess is the parole board has been watching this and of course they've done these risk assessments already,' she said. They know 'who these two are, what their alleged crimes were and what they've done since the time that they were incarcerated until today.' What happens if parole is denied or granted? If they are denied at their first parole hearing, they will continue to receive subsequent hearings until they are granted release. If parole is granted, Newsom could still move to override the board. If he lets the parole decision stand, the brothers would be released from prison. What other avenues do they have for release? In May 2023, the brothers' attorneys also filed a petition for habeas corpus to the court, asking for a new trial in light of new evidence of their sexual abuse. LA prosecutors have filed a motion opposing that petition, but its status is unclear.
