Erik and Lyle Menendez, infamous for the 1989 murders of their parents in Beverly Hills, could be a step closer to release as Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón recommended overturning their life-without-parole sentences. Gascón’s surprise decision calls for resentencing the brothers, now in their 50s, to 50 years to life—making them immediately eligible for parole.
Yet, freedom won’t come easy. Before the brothers can dream of release, a judge must approve Gascón’s resentencing proposal. Following judicial approval, a state parole board would hold a hearing to decide if they should indeed go free. And even if the parole board grants release, Governor Gavin Newsom has the final say, with the authority to overrule the board’s decision.
This dramatic development comes just two weeks before Gascón’s heated re-election battle. Critics argue that Gascón’s latest high-profile intervention is politically motivated, while some in his office openly oppose the decision. Michele Hanisee, president of the Association of Los Angeles Deputy District Attorneys, has accused him of prioritizing “celebrity cases over justice” and claims he’s exploiting the Menendez case for the spotlight.
But Gascón insists his choice is rooted in justice, not politics. “I believe they have paid their debt to society,” he said, referencing the brothers’ model behavior and commitment to rehabilitation while in prison.
The case, which stunned the world decades ago, has recently resurfaced in popular culture through Netflix’s “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story” and Peacock’s 2023 docuseries “Menendez + Menudo: Boys Betrayed.” In the series, former Latin pop star Roy Rossello alleges he was sexually abused by Jose Menendez, casting new light on claims of abuse the brothers say drove them to kill.
Mark Geragos, the Menendez brothers’ attorney, is optimistic about their release, saying Thanksgiving freedom is possible. However, legal experts warn the road ahead is complex. “This won’t be a rubber-stamp process,” said Loyola Law professor Laurie Levenson, noting strong internal opposition within the DA’s office itself.
As the Menendez brothers’ case reopens, it not only signals a turning point for the convicted duo but highlights the LA district attorney’s role in one of California’s most controversial criminal justice reform battles. With Gascón facing a tight re-election, the question remains: will his push to free the Menendez brothers lead to justice or serve as political fuel in a contentious campaign?
