Menendez brothers may see freedom after new evidence surfaces

Judge Michael V. Jesic of the Los Angeles County Superior Court agreed to hold a hearing at which the brothers' sentences might be changed from first-degree murder to manslaughter. Should this change occur, the brothers would be immediately released, as they have already served a sentence three times longer than the maximum penalty for this crime.

Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascón recommended commuting the sentence, citing new evidence. A key piece of evidence is a handwritten letter from Erik to a cousin, written before the murders, in which he claims their father sexually abused him.

The brothers' defense attorney, Mark Geragos, also seeks a pardon from Governor Gavin Newsom, hoping for their release before Thanksgiving, which falls on November 28.

In 1989, Erik and Lyle, sons of wealthy music producer José and Mary Louise "Kitty" Menendez, purchased shotguns and fired several shots at their parents while they were watching television in their Beverly Hills residence. Before being arrested, they spent $14 million from their inheritance on luxurious travel, a sports car, Rolex watches, and other expensive purchases.

During the trial, they admitted to the killings. However, they claimed they acted in self-defense after years of domestic violence and sexual abuse by their father. In 2023, they requested a retrial based on new evidence concerning their father's history of abuse, and a Netflix series about their family sparked additional interest in the case.

Several family members supported the brothers, calling for their release during a press conference earlier this month, just after the prosecution released Erik's letter to his cousin confirming the allegations against their father.