Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón has hinted at whether he will recommend the resentencing or even potential release of Erik and Lyle Menendez, who have been serving life sentences for the 1989 murders of their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez. The DA’s decision is expected within days.
The brothers, who have spent decades in prison, are seeking a second look at their case, citing new evidence. Gascón recently commented that he doesn’t believe the Menendez brothers pose a danger to society, stating, “Based on everything that I know, I don’t believe that they are… quite frankly, they probably haven’t been for a very long time, if they ever were.”
Renewed Interest and Potential for Resentencing
Interest in the Menendez case has resurfaced with recent Netflix productions, including Monsters and The Menendez Brothers documentary. The new evidence being reviewed includes a 1988 letter from Erik to his cousin, which allegedly supports claims of abuse by their father, as well as allegations from Roy Rossello, a former member of Menudo, who stated that Jose Menendez sexually abused him in 1984.
Gascón has indicated that his office is divided on the issue, with some prosecutors disputing the brothers’ abuse claims while others acknowledge possible evidence of both molestation and rehabilitation. The DA could recommend a reduced sentence if it aligns with the interests of justice.
Family Support and Calls for Release
At a recent press conference, several family members, including Kitty Menendez’s sister, Joan Anderson VanderMolen, expressed their belief that the brothers were victims of their father’s abuse. VanderMolen described the murders as a “desperate response” to the abuse and called for the siblings’ release, stating that they had already paid a “heavy price.”
The final decision on resentencing will be made by a judge after Gascón delivers his recommendation later this week.
