Latest news with #parole
Fox News
12 hours ago
- Fox News
Expert warns Idaho murderer's plea deal strategy is a dangerous calculated 'long game'
The Menendez brothers, who gunned down their parents from behind in their Beverly Hills mansion in 1989, were sentenced to life without parole years later. They were never supposed to see the light of day again. But under new California law – and in an increasingly left-wing state – that changed. A judge reduced their sentences and made them immediately eligible for parole after a controversial hearing this year, kickstarted by a prosecutor who failed his re-election bid largely because critics viewed him as too soft on crime. For one former investigator, that's a bad omen for the victims of Bryan Kohberger, a criminology Ph.D. student who killed four University of Idaho undergrads in a home invasion stabbing spree. BRYAN KOHBERGER PLEADS GUILTY TO IDAHO MURDERS "He's playing the long game in this plea deal," said Dr. Kris Mohandie, a forensic psychologist whose past work includes cases involving O.J. Simpson and the North Hollywood bank robbery shootout. "If you take death off the table, he's virtually got no skin in this game, meaning there's no downside for him." Kohberger agreed to a plea deal last week. He admitted to stabbing each student multiple times in a premeditated attack but did not explain himself. It saves taxpayer money and required Kohberger to forfeit his right to appeal his conviction and to move for a future sentence reduction. The end result could be a substantially stricter outcome than what a trial could have delivered. PLEA CAPS YEARSLONG QUEST FOR JUSTICE Not only are juries unpredictable – Kohberger would likely have spent decades appealing a conviction and death sentence – but Idaho also falls under the federal government's historically liberal Court of Appeals, the Ninth Circuit. While the parents of victims Ethan Chapin, 20, and Madison Mogen, 21, have publicly supported the plea deal, Kaylee Goncalves's family called the potential death penalty "merely an illusion" in a scathing statement voicing their opposition to any leniency or deal for Kohberger. The 20-year-old Xana Kernodle's family did not respond to messages seeking comment. Giving up his right to an appeal could also wind up being an illusion, years down the road, Mohandie warned. SIGN UP TO GET THE TRUE CRIME NEWSLETTER "Look at all these high-profile cases that we've seen come up lately, after many years," he told Fox News Digital. "The long game is, we're not going to be able to appeal this case – but the truth is, there's always some reason to find down the road when laws change, case law changes, etc." Kohberger and his lawyers all know that, he said. He pointed to the Menendez brothers, the Manson family and Scott Peterson. "Convicted, sentenced to death, some of them, commuted, then they're up – begging for parole," he said. GET REAL-TIME UPDATES AT THE FOX NEWS TRUE CRIME HUB Victims get old and die. Public tempers cool off. For the Menendez brothers, the victims' relatives are also their own relatives. Only one uncle, Milton Andersen, remained publicly opposed to their release. He died just days before the judge reduced their sentences, at the age of 90. Kohberger, who pleaded guilty last week, is due in front of Judge Steven Hippler later this month for formal sentencing. On Nov. 13, 2022, the four victims were stabbed to death in a 4 a.m. massacre in an off-campus house in Moscow, Idaho. All but Kernodle may have been asleep at the start of the attack. FOLLOW THE FOX TRUE CRIME TEAM ON X There is no known motive and rampant speculation about what happened. More than six weeks later, police announced the arrest of Kohberger – at his parents' home in Pennsylvania's Pocono Mountains. He was 28 at the time and a student at Washington State University, 10 miles from the crime scene, where he was studying for a Ph.D. in criminology. At the bloody crime scene, police found one key piece of evidence – a forgotten knife sheath with Kohberger's DNA on the snap. While his background raised questions and red flags, the deal is not expected to provide any answers. "I think it's a big mistake not to insist that he come clean with what he did, because then, down the road, he could always say, 'I never admitted anything. It was just circumstantial. I was forced to do this,'" Mohandie said. Prosecutors could have demanded answers as part of the deal, but it's unclear whether Kohberger rejected an explanation or one hadn't been part of the negotiations. In response to left-wing sentencing reduction laws, other states have moved in the opposite direction. Tennessee passed a "truth in sentencing" law in 2022 to ensure that suspects face the penalties that state law prescribes for violent crimes – and so victims can find justice and peace without the threat of a surprise reversal down the road. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP "Time will only be on his side," Mohandie said of Kohberger, who is expected to serve four consecutive life sentences, plus another 10 years. But prison carries other risks.
CBS News
14 hours ago
- CBS News
Erik Menendez hospitalized with "serious medical condition" ahead of parole hearing
Erik Menendez has been hospitalized, prompting his attorney to seek his release from prison ahead of an upcoming parole hearing. The 57-year-old has been serving a sentence of life without parole along with his brother, Lyle Menendez, after being convicted of murdering their parents in their Beverly Hills home in 1989. A judge recently resentenced the brothers to 50 years to life, making them immediately eligible for parole. His lawyer, Mark Geragos, told TMZ that Menendez was having a "serious medical condition" and should receive a prison furlough, something the governor granted some inmates during the COVID-19 pandemic. Geragos did not elaborate on the condition, but he said releasing Menendez was the "only fair and equitable thing to do" so he would have time to properly prepare for his parole hearing. The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation confirmed Erik Menendez was taken to an outside medical facility Friday and remained there Tuesday "in fair condition." CBS News Los Angeles reached out to Geragos and the Menendez family spokesperson for confirmation, but has not heard back. The Menendez brothers are expected to appear in front of the state parole board Aug. 21 and 22. If the board determines they are eligible for parole, Gov. Gavin Newsom must review the decision before they are released. A judge last week ordered Los Angeles prosecutors to explain why Erik and Lyle Menendez's murder convictions should not be reexamined in light of new evidence supporting their claims of sexual abuse by their father. While defense attorneys at the time argued the brothers acted out of self-defense after years of sexual abuse by their father, prosecutors said the brothers killed their parents for a multimillion-dollar inheritance. The order was in response to a habeas corpus petition filed by the Menendez brothers in May 2023 seeking a review of their convictions in a process separate from their resentencing bid.
Yahoo
20 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Erik Menendez's Grave Illness Should Lead to Immediate Furlough, Family Says
Erik Menendez's Grave Illness Should Lead to Immediate Furlough, Family Says originally appeared on L.A. Mag. Erik Menendez, 54, is in the hospital and has been diagnosed with a serious medical condition, his family and attorney confirmed, and should be immediately furloughed rather than wait for a state parole board hearing scheduled for him and his older brother Lyle, 57, next month. Mark Geragos, who has spent years battling to get the Menendez brothers released based on new evidence that calls their 1989 conviction and life sentence into question, said Erik's health condition should lead to an immediate furlough. In May, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Michael Jessic resentenced the brothers last week to 50 years to life in prison, which makes them eligible for parole at hearings currently scheduled for August 21 and 22. Earlier this month, a second Superior Court Judge, William Ryan, ordered Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman to explain why exculpatory evidence was kept from the jury in the second trial of Erik and Lyle Menendez regarding their claims of sexual abuse. Ryan ruled that two new pieces of evidence would, more likely than not, have changed the outcome of their convictions - a letter from Erik Menendez to his cousin Andy Cano, which the defense "allege corroborates Cano's testimony and the sexual abuse allegations," the brothers made at trial. The second piece of new evidence is a declaration from Roy Rossello, a member of the band Menudo who says he was raped by José governor discussed the case Sunday with "Monsters" dramatic series creator Ryan Murphy on his podcast, "This is Gavin Newsom," saying he would decide by Labor Day on whether to release the brothers after more than 35 years behind bars. Evidence presented to Jesic portrayed the brothers as having participated in extensive rehabilitation efforts.[Geragos is the co-owner of Engine Vision Media, the parent company of Los Angeles] This story was originally reported by L.A. Mag on Jul 22, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Infamous Killer Suffering 'Serious Medical Condition' Ahead of Parole Hearing
Infamous Killer Suffering 'Serious Medical Condition' Ahead of Parole Hearing originally appeared on Parade. Erik Menendez is facing more challenges ahead of his upcoming parole hearing, and this time, it's regarding his health. The 54-year-old, who along with his brother Lyle Menendez, was convicted for the 1989 murders of their parents, is now dealing with a "serious" medical issue, according to his attorney, Mark Geragos. As the Menendez brothers await their parole hearing on August 22, Geragos is advocating for Erik's immediate release from prison, citing his apparent health struggles. 'I don't want to let the cat out of the bag,' Geragos told TMZ on Tuesday, July 22. 'Erik is having a serious medical condition right now.' While he declined to provide further details, citing confidentiality, Geragos emphasized the severity of the situation. 'It's a serious condition,' he said, adding that Erik needs to be out of prison to focus on his upcoming parole hearing. 'If there was ever anybody who should be furloughed, especially right now, a month before the hearing, it's Erik,' Geragos stated, calling on California Governor Gavin Newsom to help. 🎬 SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox 🎬While Erik's exact medical condition is unknown, when asked if it was potentially life-threatening, Geragos expressed hope, saying, 'Hopefully not.' As of now, both Erik's attorney and his wife, Tammi Menendez, have not provided additional information regarding his health condition. The Menendez brothers have so far served 35 years in prison, with their initial life sentences reduced in May. Now, they face eligibility for parole as a judge previously found that they were no longer an "unreasonable risk," so society, prompting the reduction. The board's decision in August will determine if the brothers are ready for release. Erik and Lyle, 57, were arrested in 1990 for the brutal murders of Mary Louise 'Kitty' and Jose Menendez. The brothers, then aged 18 and 21, shot their parents in the family's Beverly Hills home on August 20, 1989. Initially, the deaths were believed to be the result of a robbery gone wrong, but after months of investigation, the brothers were arrested. During their trial, the Menendez brothers claimed that they killed their parents in self-defense after years of physical and sexual abuse. In 1996, they were convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Infamous Killer Suffering 'Serious Medical Condition' Ahead of Parole Hearing first appeared on Parade on Jul 22, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Jul 22, 2025, where it first appeared.
CTV News
a day ago
- CTV News
Erik Menendez is in hospital for a medical condition. His attorney seeks his release
This combination of two booking photos provided by the California Department of Corrections shows Erik Menendez, left, and Lyle Menendez. (California Department of Corrections via AP, File) LOS ANGELES — An attorney is seeking Erik Menendez's release from prison because of a medical condition after he was taken to a hospital. The 57-year-old has been serving a life without parole sentence along with his brother Lyle Menendez after being convicted of murdering their parents in their Beverly Hills, California, home in 1989. A judge recently resentenced the brothers to 50 years to life, making them immediately eligible for parole. They will appear in front of the state parole board Aug. 21 and 22. The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation confirmed Erik Menendez was taken to an outside medical facility Friday and remained there Tuesday 'in fair condition.' His lawyer, Mark Geragos, told TMZ that Menendez was having a 'serious medical condition' and should receive a prison furlough, something the governor granted some inmates during the COVID-19 pandemic. Geragos did not elaborate on the condition, but he said releasing Menendez was the 'only fair and equitable thing to do' so he had time to prepare for his parole hearing properly. Geragos' office confirmed his comments to TMZ but did not make him available for an interview. California Gov. Gavin Newsom's office and a representative for the family declined to comment. A judge last week ordered Los Angeles prosecutors to explain why Erik and Lyle Menendez's murder convictions should not be reexamined in light of new evidence supporting their claims of sexual abuse by their father. While defense attorneys at the time argued the brothers acted out of self-defense after years of sexual abuse by their father, prosecutors said the brothers killed their parents for a multimillion-dollar inheritance. The order was in response to a habeas corpus petition filed by the Menendez brothers in May 2023 seeking a review of their convictions in a process separate from their resentencing bid. Jaimie Ding, The Associated Press
