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Following a recent court ruling unfavorable to the Menendez brothers, prosecutors from the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office have submitted a new motion to postpone the brothers’ resentencing hearing. This delay is sought until the court can review a newly completed assessment from the state parole board.
In their legal motion, prosecutors indicated, “The People request the Court make all reasonable efforts to obtain the recently completed Comprehensive Risk Assessments from the Governor’s Office.” They added that if additional time is needed to secure these assessments, they urge the court to reschedule the hearing.
This legal maneuver is related to the Menendez brothers’ ongoing attempts at clemency, which are under consideration by California Governor Gavin Newsom. Earlier this year, Newsom instructed the state parole board to conduct a risk evaluation for Erik and Lyle Menendez as a preliminary step toward potential clemency.
Governor Newsom has stated that a decision regarding the clemency application will follow a final risk assessment hearing scheduled for June. “On June 13, both Lyle and Erik Menendez, independently, will have their final hearing,” Newsom explained in a podcast, underscoring that the results of this hearing would inform the analysis regarding their clemency applications.
However, prosecutors contend that the parole board completed its risk assessment reports on April 15, 2025. They noted, “The People were made aware that the Parole Board has completed its Comprehensive Risk Assessment Reports for Erik and Lyle Menendez.” Although these documents are protected under the Governor’s Executive privilege, they indicated that the Governor’s Office has suggested the court might request these reports for the upcoming resentencing hearing.
The district attorney’s office has argued that having access to the most recent risk assessments is crucial for proper consideration of the case. “There is no legitimate reason why the court should not possess the most current and up-to-date risk assessments before making any resentencing decisions in this case,” the office stated.
Erik and Lyle Menendez were sentenced to life imprisonment without parole in the aftermath of the 1989 murders of their parents, Kitty and Jose Menendez. While the brothers confessed to the killings, they argued that their actions were motivated by years of parental abuse and self-defense. They have spent more than three decades in custody until former DA George Gascón sought to reduce their sentences and potentially grant them parole eligibility.
Current District Attorney Nathan Hochman has sought to withdraw his predecessor’s motion, expressing concerns that it failed to adequately assess whether the brothers had fully acknowledged their responsibility for the crimes. After reviewing extensive court records and evidence, Hochman requested the court to allow the withdrawal of Gascón’s motion; however, Judge Michael Jesic denied this request, allowing the resentencing proceedings to proceed on April 17.
In a statement following the hearing, Hochman emphasized the severity of the brothers’ actions, describing them as “calculated, premeditated, cold-blooded killings.” He stressed that the brothers’ claims of self-defense are filled with dishonesty, asserting that they pose a continuing risk to public safety until they fully confront the truth of their actions.
In response to the judge’s decision, Mark Geragos, the attorney representing the Menendez brothers, expressed gratitude, suggesting that the ruling prioritized justice over political influence. Family members supporting the brothers echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of truth and fairness in the judicial process. “The court made clear that this process is not about politics. It’s about truth. It’s about justice. And, it’s about giving people the chance to show who they are now,” remarked Anamaria Baralt, a cousin of the Menendez brothers.
After the ruling, Hochman defended the integrity of his office, stating that their position was not influenced by political motivations. He underlined that the judicial process must remain grounded in factual considerations. “It’s too important to the victims’ family members. It’s too important to the public to delay more than necessary to do the review that people should expect from a district attorney,” he asserted.
As the proceedings continue, the debate surrounding the Menendez brothers’ case remains a complex intersection of legal, ethical, and personal considerations that resonate deeply within the community and the broader public.
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