The campaign for the infamous Menendez brothers to be released from prison just hit a roadblock. Eric and Lyle Menendez became household names in 1989 after they admitted to planning and carrying out the execution style murder of their parents, Jose and Kitty.
The brothers, then 18 and 22, alleged they’d suffered years of verbal, physical, and sexual abuse at the hands of their music executive father. But in the media, many believed they were spoiled and entitled brats out for their parents’ inheritance. After two trials, they were sentenced to life in prison without parole.
Videos by PopCulture.com
Recent films and documentaries put new eyes on the case, including the fact that evidence of sexual abuse was omitted from the second trial, with millions calling for their release. Their father was also accused of grooming and sexually assaulting members of the Spanish boyband Menudo in a Peacock series.
The current District Attorney of LA said he’d review the case for clemency, but that decision has just been adjusted. Until a new DA is officially ushered in, their bid for clemency is on hold.
“Once I take office on December 3, I look forward to putting in the hard work to thoroughly review the facts and law of the Menendez case, including reviewing the confidential prison files, the transcripts of the two trials and the voluminous exhibits, as well as speaking with the prosecutors, defense attorneys and victim family members,” new Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said in a statement, per Deadline.
The Menendez’s resentencing hearing is currently slated for December 11. Hochman hasn’t given away where he stands on the high-profile case as of yet.
If Hochman decides the December 11 resentencing hearing will go ahead as scheduled, L.A. Superior Court Judge William Ryan could adjust the brothers’ current penalty to manslaughter instead of first-degree murder. If the parole board agrees, they can be freed from prison.
Most Viewed
-
(Photo by Ben Curtis – PA Images/PA Images via Getty Images) -
US singer Miley Cyrus attends the 97th Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California on March 2, 2025. (Photo by Angeka Weiss/AFP via Getty Images) -
A ring of vibrant marigold flowers with glowing candles at the center, set against a dark background. (Credit: Eduardo Monroy Husillos / Getty Images) -
Antique TV set with color bars, on black background. 3D rendering -
NEW YORK CITY – DECEMBER 19: "Toil and Trouble" – Elsbeth is thrown into the world of television after the showrunner of a long-running police procedural is brutally murdered in his office, and although it appears to be the act of a disgruntled fan, she begins to suspect the show's longtime star Regina Coburn (Laurie Metcalf) who yearns for artistic fulfillment. Meanwhile, Judge Crawford (Michael Emerson) continues to be a thorn in Elsbeth's side, on the CBS original series ELSBETH, Thursday, Dec. 19 (10:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network, and streaming on Paramount+ (live and on demand for Paramount+ with SHOWTIME subscribers, or on demand for Paramount+ Essential subscribers the day after the episode airs). Pictured (L-R): Carrie Preston as Elsbeth Tascioni and Carra Patterson as Kaya Blanke. (Photo by Michael Parmelee/CBS via Getty Images)
