The Menendez brothers’ 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 Attorney’s request to give them new sentences. It’s like waiting for a big plot twist in a real-life drama.
Here’s the thing: George Gascón, the current D.A., might not even be in office by then. Talk about a cliffhanger! If he’s out, his request might vanish into thin air before anyone can say “objection!” Now, the Menendez team is taking a different route – they’re asking Governor Gavin Newsom for clemency. It’s like they’re trying to find a secret passage in this legal maze.
Let’s rewind a bit. The brothers are doing life without parole for a shocking crime – the 1989 shotgun murders of their parents, Jose and Kitty. Their story recently got a fresh coat of paint with Ryan Murphy‘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.
Gascón dropped a bombshell last week. He wants to cut the brothers’ sentences, which could make them eligible for parole right away. It’s like he’s trying to rewrite the ending of their story.
But hold your horses! Gascón’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. It’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. It’s like we’re all waiting for the next episode of a gripping courtroom drama.
Here’s where it gets tricky. Hochman could pull Gascón’s request off the table if he takes over. But he’d need a “legitimate reason,” according to a 2023 ruling. The judge could say yes or no to this plot twist. It’s all up in the air, like a cliffhanger ending.
Hochman’s keeping his cards close to his chest about how he’d handle this. But he’s not shy about criticizing Gascón, saying he’s using the Menendez brothers to distract voters from his mistakes. It’s like accusing someone of using smoke and mirrors.
There’s also a status hearing set for November 25. It’s like we’re getting bonus content in this real-life drama.
Gascón’s not giving up, though. On Wednesday (Oct. 30, 2024), he urged Newsom to grant clemency for the brothers. He said, “I 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.”
The governor’s office is keeping mum, saying they can’t comment on pending clemency applications. It’s like they’re building suspense for the grand finale.
Gascón wants the brothers resentenced to 50 years to life, pointing to their rehabilitation and the abuse they suffered as kids. It’s like he’s trying to add a redemption arc to their story.
Even if this request gets the green light, there’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 they’re safe to release. Then it’s back to Newsom for the final word. It’s like a multi-level video game, where each level gets harder.
Newsom’s got another ace up his sleeve – he can pardon or commute sentences. Gascón’s not wasting time; he sent two letters to Newsom on Wednesday, urging him to use that power. It’s like he’s trying to open a backdoor in this legal labyrinth.
Meanwhile, the Menendez brothers’ lawyer, Mark Geragos, is playing his own game. He told TMZ he’s pushing to get their convictions knocked down to manslaughter. That’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 isn’t shy about his goals. He’s been saying he wants the brothers home for Thanksgiving. It’s like he’s racing against the clock in this legal thriller.
When asked about the case on the Politickin’ podcast, Newsom played it cool. He didn’t pick sides but laid out what he’d consider if a parole recommendation landed on his desk.
“California is always about second looks, process and justice,” he said. “But at the end of the day, it’s about the families, it’s about victims. To the extent there are family members supporting their release, that’s something you consider.”
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.
“It’s a hell of a thing,” he said. “No doubt what Ryan Murphy did with this series really lit things up. I think social media has lit things up… What matters for me are the facts. What matters is justice and fairness — not treating them any worse because they’re celebrities, not treating them certainly any better because they’re celebrities.”
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