Judge Postpones Menendez Hearing Amid Risk Report Feud \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ The resentencing hearing for Erik and Lyle Menendez was postponed again after prosecutors and defense attorneys clashed over a parole board risk report. A new court date has been set for May 9 to address the dispute. The brothers, convicted in 1996 of murdering their parents, are seeking reduced sentences that could lead to release.
Quick Looks
- Resentencing hearing delayed until May 9 by Los Angeles judge
- Dispute centers on parole board’s risk assessment tied to clemency
- Prosecutors filed motion to delay so court could review report
- Report was ordered by California Governor Gavin Newsom
- Defense attorneys seek reduced charges to manslaughter
- Judge, defense had not seen report that sparked delay
- DA’s office under fire for handling of evidence and communication
- Menendez brothers’ attorneys claim their clients have been rehabilitated
- Resentencing could make brothers eligible for parole
- Case reignited public attention through Netflix dramatization
Deep Look
The long-awaited resentencing hearing for Erik and Lyle Menendez has once again been postponed, this time due to disagreements over the use of a California state parole board risk assessment, potentially delaying a decision on whether the infamous brothers could one day walk free.
On Thursday, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Michael Jesic set a new hearing date for May 9, citing the need to determine whether a risk evaluation ordered by Governor Gavin Newsom can be included in the proceedings. Prosecutors say the document is crucial, while the defense contends it is being improperly leveraged.
Prosecutors filed a last-minute motion Wednesday night asking for more time so the court could access the report, portions of which had already been shared with them in advance of a June 13 clemency hearing.
Jesic expressed frustration with the confusion, saying bluntly, “This is stupid. I need clarification from the governor’s office.”
Convicted in a Case That Gripped America
Erik and Lyle Menendez were convicted in 1996 of murdering their parents, José and Kitty Menendez, in their Beverly Hills mansion in 1989, when the brothers were 18 and 21 years old. Prosecutors argued the motive was greed — an attempt to secure a multimillion-dollar inheritance. Defense attorneys claimed the murders were committed out of fear, after enduring years of sexual abuse by their father.
The brothers were sentenced to life without parole, but are now seeking reduced sentences. Former DA George Gascón previously suggested lowering their sentences to 50 years with the possibility of parole. Their current attorney, Mark Geragos, said Thursday he will push for even more lenient terms — manslaughter charges, which could result in immediate release.
Courtroom Tensions Run High
Tensions flared during the court session. Neither the defense nor the judge had seen the report at the heart of the dispute. Prosecutors, who had reviewed it, argued that it should be considered now, before moving forward.
Deputy District Attorney Habib Balian argued the report is vital: “If there is a report out there assessing the risk of violence, how do we not use it?”
Geragos lashed out at District Attorney Nathan Hochman, who publicly discussed the report at a press conference earlier that day. He vowed to file a motion to remove Hochman from the case, accusing him of politicizing the process.
The governor’s office later clarified that the risk assessment was shared 60 days before the clemency hearing, per California law. It also confirmed it is not a standalone report and would only be released to the court upon request.
Even if Judge Jesic shortens the Menendez brothers’ sentences, they would still need parole board approval before being released.
The brothers appeared via video from a San Diego-area correctional facility, wearing standard-issue prison uniforms. They showed little visible reaction as lawyers argued over their fate.
Resentencing Saga and Media Spotlight
The case has drawn intense attention for over three decades and received renewed interest following the Netflix series “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story.” The brothers’ hearings have been postponed repeatedly, including earlier this year due to wildfires and procedural disputes.
Family, Advocacy, and Victim Impact
Attorneys for the Menendez family, including Bryan Freedman, criticized the DA’s office for displaying graphic crime scene photos during a prior hearing without warning family members. “That’s not dignity,” Freedman said. “That’s harassment.”
Balian apologized, but doubled down: “Erik and Lyle Menendez caused that carnage, not me.”
The extended Menendez family, aside from a recently deceased uncle, has expressed full forgiveness for the brothers and support for their release. Their attorneys maintain the pair have spent decades working on self-improvement and contributing positively to prison life.
However, prosecutors argue the brothers haven’t shown full accountability, citing past courtroom lies and their continued insistence that they acted out of abuse. Hochman’s office remains unconvinced by the abuse claims, calling them unproven and a deflection from taking responsibility.
What Happens Next
All eyes are now on the May 9 hearing, where the admissibility of the risk report could determine the future of one of the most notorious murder cases in modern U.S. history.
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