WASHINGTON − The family and supporters of Lyle and Erik Menendez, who were convicted of murdering their parents, are once again advocating for their release. This comes as their hearing for resentencing has been postponed yet again due to the California wildfires.

A judge in California is set to make a decision in March regarding the possibility of reducing the brothers’ life sentences without parole, which could potentially allow their release after spending 35 years behind bars. This hearing was initially slated for December but was rescheduled because of the wildfires’ effects.

Despite the setbacks and what seems like a lengthy path to freedom, the Menendez brothers and their family remain optimistic. Anamaria Baralt, their cousin, shared with YSL News her belief that the brothers deserve to be freed, noting their remorse for their actions and personal growth during their time in prison.

“We have fully forgiven them. We love them dearly and miss them immensely,” Baralt stated. “Every family holiday feels incomplete without them, leaving a significant void in our hearts.”

What sparked renewed interest in the decades-old double homicide

The Menendez brothers were found guilty in 1996 of killing their father, Jose Menendez, a prominent music executive, and their mother, Kitty Menendez, during a retrial, following two previous trials that ended without a verdict. Their defense claimed that Lyle, who was 21, and Erik, who was 18, had endured physical and sexual abuse and feared for their lives, leading them to shoot their parents in self-defense.

However, during the second trial, a significant amount of evidence related to the alleged abuse was reportedly excluded, according to the brothers’ attorneys and family. On the other side, prosecutors suggested that the brothers fabricated claims of abuse to justify their actions and sought to kill their parents for their estimated $15 million estate, pointing to a spending spree they went on after the murders.

Baralt believes that had the brothers been tried today, perspectives on male victims of abuse would lead to a different outcome.

Following the airing of a Netflix documentary and a scripted series about the case, public interest has surged again, even drawing attention from figures like Kim Kardashian, who joined calls for a review of the brothers’ sentences.

In October, former Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón requested the court to resentence the brothers to 50 years to life for their first-degree murder convictions, which would make them eligible for youth parole due to their ages at the time of the crimes and their lengthy time in prison.

The motion was prompted by new evidence presented by the brothers’ attorney, including a letter allegedly written by Erik Menendez discussing abuse details uncovered by journalist Robert Rand, who has followed the case closely and authored a book on the Menendez murders. Additionally, Roy Rosselló, a former member of the boy band Menudo, accused Jose Menendez of drugging and sexually assaulting him, further igniting public discussion around the case.

Gascón acknowledged differing opinions among some of his staff regarding abuse claims, but after reviewing evidence, he recognized that the brothers suffered significant dysfunction and abuse in their home.

“Since the original prosecution of the Menendez brothers nearly three decades ago, our office has developed a deeper understanding of the complexities surrounding sexual violence,” Gascón remarked.

He also emphasized that the brothers have made efforts to better themselves and support their fellow inmates during their time in prison. Baralt noted that Erik has taken on the role of a meditation teacher and organized programs to aid inmates with disabilities, while Lyle has initiated changes to improve the prison yard.

“They had no hope of ever getting out, serving life without parole, yet both Erik and Lyle have spent decades aiding those around them,” Baralt said.

Delayed proceedings for resentencing

As interest in resentencing has grown, Gascón lost his reelection bid as district attorney to Nathan Hochman, who raised suspicions about the motivations behind Gascón’s support for the brothers. Gascón reached out to California Governor Gavin Newsom for clemency for each brother, but Newsom opted to wait for Hochman to offer his perspective.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Michael Jesic postponed the hearing to allow more time for him and Hochman to study the case, pushing it to March 20, citing disruptions caused by the wildfires on the parties’ preparations for the hearings.

Hochman recently met with 25 family members to discuss the case, describing it as a “productive and important conversation.”

“I appreciate the opportunity to engage with the Menendez family and will continue to approach this matter with the utmost care and diligence,” he stated.

The district attorney’s office is currently reviewing thousands of pages of documents and transcripts related to the trials, alongside the habeas petition the brothers filed this year to contest their convictions based on new evidence.

“It was very emotional,” Baralt recounted of the meeting with Hochman. “We could express what we’re hoping for as a family that has endured so much over the last 35 years.”

What’s next for the Menendez brothers?

Judge Jesic will determine if the brothers should be resentenced and eligible for parole. If approved, a parole board will assess their rehabilitation and safety for reintegration into society.

Baralt hopes for a resentencing to the lesser charge of manslaughter, which would allow for immediate release without the need for the family to plead their case before the parole board.

“If that were to happen, they would be released right away,” said Baralt.

Ultimately, the decision would rest with Governor Newsom, as California permits the governor to accept or adjust the parole board’s decisions for convicted murderers.

“If an incarcerated person is granted parole at a youth offender parole hearing, they will be eligible for release immediately after the decision is finalized (which takes about five months),” the board explained.

Should the resentencing request fail, Rand mentioned that the brothers could pursue freedom through their habeas petition, questioning whether the new evidence could have changed their original trial outcomes and seeking to vacate their convictions if so. “It could take a few months to a year, but eventually they will be released and they should be,” he stated.

Baralt maintains daily communication with her cousins, who are “cautiously optimistic” about their potential release.

“At this point, our family firmly believes that 35 years is long enough. They have paid their dues, right? We are ready for them to come home,” Baralt conveyed.

Contributors: John Bacon, Jorge L. Ortiz, Christopher Cann, YSL News