HomeBangladeshMenendez brothers' last chance for freedom under threat after bombshell new development

Menendez brothers’ last chance for freedom under threat after bombshell new development

-

For decades, Erik and Lyle Menendez have languished in prison, serving life sentences without parole for the shocking 1989 murders of their wealthy parents.

But after years of legal battles, public scrutiny, and renewed interest sparked by Netflix’s Monsters, the killer brothers appear to be on the brink of a potential reprieve. Convicted for the brutal 1989 murders of their wealthy parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez, the slaying siblings have spent decades behind bars.

Now, thanks to new developments in their case – and a shift in the understanding of abuse – they are closer than ever to a second chance. The brothers are due before a judge on January 30 for possible resentencing – at least, they hoped. However, with a new district attorney in Los Angeles, Nathan Hochman, taking office, that optimism may now not be as strong as the brothers and their supporters believe.

The new DA has wasted no time stamping his mark on the case. Immediately after being sworn in, he reassigned two deputy prosecutors who petitioned for Menendez’s life sentence to be reduced, leaving the legal fight mired in uncertainty. On August 20, 1989, police responded to a grisly scene at the family’s sprawling Beverly Hills mansion. Jose Menendez, a high-powered entertainment executive, and his wife Kitty were found shot to death, their bodies riddled with bullets from 12-gauge shotguns.

Initially, the murders appeared to be the result of a mob hit or burglary gone wrong. The brothers, who were 18 and 21 at the time, claimed to have discovered the bodies after returning from a movie. But their extravagant spending spree in the weeks following the murders raised suspicions. Lyle purchased a Rolex watch, a Porsche, and lavish clothes, while Erik hired a tennis coach and travelled extensively. The brothers collectively spent more than half a million pounds in just six months, arousing the attention of investigators.

The turning point came in 1990 when Erik confessed to the murders during a therapy session with Dr L. Jerome Oziel, which was secretly recorded. At the time, the counsellor was having an extramarital affair. Oziel told his mistress, Judalon Smyth, of the confession, and she ultimately went to the police in March 1990 after the two had broken up. The taped confession became a key piece of evidence, leading to their arrests.

The Menendez brothers’ trials captivated America. Prosecutors argued that greed motivated the killings, pointing to the brothers’ desire to claim their parents’ £11 million estate. Defence attorneys, however, painted a harrowing picture of life inside the Menendez household, alleging years of sexual, physical, and emotional abuse at the hands of their parents.

Testimony revealed that Jose Menendez was a tyrannical father who demanded perfection, while Kitty was described as mentally unstable and complicit in the abuse. Erik and Lyle claimed they killed their parents out of fear for their lives, believing their father was planning to murder them to cover up the abuse.

The allegations split public opinion. Some saw the brothers as victims of a traumatic upbringing, while others viewed them as spoiled rich kids concocting a convenient excuse. The first trials in 1993 ended in two mistrials, with jurors deadlocked over whether the brothers acted out of fear or greed.

A retrial in 1995 resulted in convictions for first-degree murder and life sentences without parole. The jury rejected the abuse defence, swayed by the prosecution’s argument that the killings were premeditated. After their incarceration, the case faded from the public eye until recent years when documentaries, podcasts, and the Netflix series Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story revived the interest.

The dramatisation humanised the brothers for a new generation, sparking conversations about trauma, abuse, and the justice system. Supporters of the siblings argue that attitudes toward abuse have evolved significantly since the 1990s. “Back then, claims of parental abuse were often dismissed or minimised, especially in high-profile cases like this,” said Grace Montgomery, a trauma specialist. “Today, we have a much deeper understanding of how abuse shapes behaviour, including acts of violence.”

In 2023, two deputy district attorneys under then-Los Angeles DA George Gascón petitioned to reconsider the brothers’ sentences. They argued that the abuse allegations warranted a reexamination of the case and recommended granting the brothers parole eligibility.

The petition cited testimony from friends, relatives, and experts who corroborated the claims of abuse. The two deputies submitted a 57-page filing on October 24 arguing that the Menendez brothers had shown “overwhelming” evidence of rehabilitation and should be resentenced to 50 years to life, which would make them immediately eligible for parole.

“We now understand that public safety is not best achieved through overly harsh punishments that ignore rehabilitation,” they wrote in the filing, adding that the brothers “have transformed and taken advantage of meaningful opportunities to mature, move beyond criminal thinking, repent, and become productive community members.”

However, Hochman’s election as Los Angeles DA has cast doubt on the brothers’ chances of release. A Republican who campaigned on a tough-on-crime platform, he has expressed scepticism about reducing sentences for violent offenders. After taking office, Hochman reassigned the two deputy prosecutors – Nancy Theberge and Brock Lunsford – who had championed the Menendez brothers’ case.

Critics view his move as calculated in a bid to derail the petition. In a post-election statement, Hochman said, “I still need to become thoroughly familiar with the relevant facts, the evidence, and the law before making any decision about the Menendez brothers’ fate.” His cautious approach has left the brothers’ legal team and supporters in limbo.

But with Christmas upon us, Lyle has reportedly enjoyed another distraction from the case. While behind bars, the 56-year-old is claimed to have begun a romantic relationship with 21-year-old British student Milly Bucksey. The relationship allegedly began earlier this year when the student joined a Facebook group dedicated to his case.

Sources claim Lyle has developed strong feelings for Milly and has even discussed divorcing his wife, Rebecca Sneed, whom he married in 2003. The age difference – Milly was born just one month before Lyle’s wedding – has raised eyebrows and reignited debates about his character. “People are quick to judge, but Lyle has found happiness just like he should be allowed to,” said a source close to the Menendez family. Critics, however, argue that the relationship is another example of the brothers’ ability to manipulate and charm.

For Erik and Lyle Menendez, the future remains uncertain. If the petition for parole eligibility proceeds, it could pave the way for their eventual release. But Hochman’s reassignment of the case’s key prosecutors has thrown that timeline into doubt. Legal experts say the court will ultimately decide the brothers’ fate, but the DA’s influence could shape the outcome. The Menendez brothers have spent nearly 35 years in prison, their lives defined by one horrific night in 1989. Whether they will get a second chance – or remain behind bars – now rests in the hands of a US justice system grappling with questions of trauma, accountability, and redemption.

Get email updates with the day’s biggest stories

LATEST POSTS

Iconic BBC soap Eldorado returning 32 years after it was originally cancelled

A long-forgotten soap that was axed 32 years ago is heading back to TV screens.Soap fans old enough to remember will recall a flop show...

Premier League release statement after Bournemouth star avoids red card for hair pull

The Premier League has said David Brooks avoided a red card for dragging Chelsea's Marc Cucurella to the ground because it was NOT violent conduct.A...

BBC The One Show hosts accused of ‘giving film away’ as actor addresses ‘problem’

Things took an awkward turn during the latest episode of The One Show as presenter Alex Jones and Lauren Laverne were called out by one...

Australian Open star hits shot dubbed ‘best ever’ as tennis crowd goes wild

Lorenzo Sonego's mind-blowing shot against Stan Wawrinka at the Australian Open has left tennis supporters proclaiming it as the "best ever".The Italian ace narrowly defeated...

LATEST ARTICLES