Additional Coverage:
- Menendez brothers given parole board hearing date in California Governor Gavin Newsom update (themirror.com)
California Governor Gavin Newsom recently discussed the upcoming legal proceedings for Lyle and Erik Menendez on his podcast. The brothers, convicted of murdering their parents in 1989, have a parole board hearing scheduled for June 13.
The board will conduct a risk assessment and submit its recommendation to the Governor’s office. Newsom will then consider the assessment and recommendation when deciding on potential clemency.
The assessment will also be sent to a judge to consider for potential resentencing. A lighter sentence could lead to the brothers’ release if their served time is deemed sufficient.
However, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman has publicly opposed the brothers’ release. While previous District Attorney George Gascón had been open to reducing their sentences, Hochman has taken a firm stance against such a move, despite media attention and pressure. Governor Newsom appears to be exploring ways to circumvent this opposition.
Hochman stated the brothers would need to unequivocally accept full responsibility for the murders and admit their self-defense claim was fabricated before any consideration for resentencing. They would need to confess their lies to the court, the public, the District Attorney’s office, and their family.
Hochman compared the Menendez brothers to Sirhan Sirhan, assassin of Senator Robert F. Kennedy, arguing that similar risk assessments and letters of support don’t justify release in either case.
He emphasized the premeditated nature of the Menendez murders, stating, “The actual shots were designed to make it look like a mafia gangland hit.” Hochman believes the brothers anticipated escaping consequences and have maintained a web of lies for years, reinforcing his position that they should remain incarcerated despite public pressure.