Los Angeles District Attorney pushing California governor to grant Menendez brothers clemency

7 Min Read
Menendez Brothers
Screenshot via ABC7.com

The Menendez brothersโ€™ journey to freedom has hit a bump in the road. A Los Angeles judge just set December 11 as the date to look at the District Attorneyโ€™s request to give them new sentences. Itโ€™s like waiting for a big plot twist in a real-life drama.

Hereโ€™s the thing: George Gascรณn, the current D.A., might not even be in office by then. Talk about a cliffhanger! If heโ€™s out, his request might vanish into thin air before anyone can say โ€œobjection!โ€ Now, the Menendez team is taking a different route โ€“ theyโ€™re asking Governor Gavin Newsom for clemency. Itโ€™s like theyโ€™re trying to find a secret passage in this legal maze.

Letโ€™s rewind a bit. The brothers are doing life without parole for a shocking crime โ€“ the 1989 shotgun murders of their parents, Jose and Kitty. Their story recently got a fresh coat of paint with Ryan Murphyโ€˜s Netflix series Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story. It was the talk of the town, topping Netflix charts last month like a blockbuster movie.

Gascรณn dropped a bombshell last week. He wants to cut the brothersโ€™ sentences, which could make them eligible for parole right away. Itโ€™s like heโ€™s trying to rewrite the ending of their story.

But hold your horses! Gascรณnโ€™s not doing so hot in the polls for his re-election. If he loses next week, Nathan Hochman will step into his shoes on December 2, according to the L.A. County Charter. Itโ€™s like a game of musical chairs, but with serious consequences.

Judge Michael Jesic has penciled in December 11 for a hearing on this request. Itโ€™s like weโ€™re all waiting for the next episode of a gripping courtroom drama.

Hereโ€™s where it gets tricky. Hochman could pull Gascรณnโ€™s request off the table if he takes over. But heโ€™d need a โ€œlegitimate reason,โ€ according to a 2023 ruling. The judge could say yes or no to this plot twist. Itโ€™s all up in the air, like a cliffhanger ending.

Hochmanโ€™s keeping his cards close to his chest about how heโ€™d handle this. But heโ€™s not shy about criticizing Gascรณn, saying heโ€™s using the Menendez brothers to distract voters from his mistakes. Itโ€™s like accusing someone of using smoke and mirrors.

Thereโ€™s also a status hearing set for November 25. Itโ€™s like weโ€™re getting bonus content in this real-life drama.

Gascรณnโ€™s not giving up, though. On Wednesday (Oct. 30, 2024), he urged Newsom to grant clemency for the brothers. He said, โ€œI strongly support clemency for Erik and Lyle Menendez, who are currently serving sentences of life without possibility of parole. They have respectively served 34 years and have continued their educations and worked to create new programs to support the rehabilitation of fellow inmates.โ€

The governorโ€™s office is keeping mum, saying they canโ€™t comment on pending clemency applications. Itโ€™s like theyโ€™re building suspense for the grand finale.

Gascรณn wants the brothers resentenced to 50 years to life, pointing to their rehabilitation and the abuse they suffered as kids. Itโ€™s like heโ€™s trying to add a redemption arc to their story.

Even if this request gets the green light, thereโ€™s still a long road ahead. The governor would need to weigh in, and the state Board of Parole Hearings would have to decide if theyโ€™re safe to release. Then itโ€™s back to Newsom for the final word. Itโ€™s like a multi-level video game, where each level gets harder.

Newsomโ€™s got another ace up his sleeve โ€“ he can pardon or commute sentences. Gascรณnโ€™s not wasting time; he sent two letters to Newsom on Wednesday, urging him to use that power. Itโ€™s like heโ€™s trying to open a backdoor in this legal labyrinth.

Meanwhile, the Menendez brothersโ€™ lawyer, Mark Geragos, is playing his own game. He told TMZ heโ€™s pushing to get their convictions knocked down to manslaughter. Thatโ€™s a far cry from special circumstances first-degree murder. If this Hail Mary pass works, the brothers could walk free without even facing the parole board. Talk about a plot twist!

Geragos isnโ€™t shy about his goals. Heโ€™s been saying he wants the brothers home for Thanksgiving. Itโ€™s like heโ€™s racing against the clock in this legal thriller.

When asked about the case on the Politickinโ€™ podcast, Newsom played it cool. He didnโ€™t pick sides but laid out what heโ€™d consider if a parole recommendation landed on his desk.

โ€œCalifornia is always about second looks, process and justice,โ€ he said. โ€œBut at the end of the day, itโ€™s about the families, itโ€™s about victims. To the extent there are family members supporting their release, thatโ€™s something you consider.โ€

Newsom added that he and the parole board would look at how the brothers have behaved behind bars. He also noted how the Netflix series has everyone buzzing, even his own kids.

โ€œItโ€™s a hell of a thing,โ€ he said. โ€œNo doubt what Ryan Murphy did with this series really lit things up. I think social media has lit things upโ€ฆ What matters for me are the facts. What matters is justice and fairness โ€” not treating them any worse because theyโ€™re celebrities, not treating them certainly any better because theyโ€™re celebrities.โ€