CNN
The case of the Menendez brothers is poised for a significant shift with newly revealed evidence, indicating that a pivotal ruling could soon take place… potentially opening the door to their liberation.
The Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón informed CNN on Tuesday that he expects to reach a conclusion by the end of the week regarding whether Erik and Lyle Menendez, currently serving life without parole for the murder of their parents José and Kitty Menendez in 1989, will face resentencing or be granted a new trial.
A new trial could lead to revised sentences for the brothers, with a conceivable outcome being a reduction of their convictions from first-degree murder to manslaughter, possibly allowing their release based on time already served.
Gascón was somewhat ambiguous about his current stance but acknowledged that there are differing opinions within his own office.
One faction linked to the original trial is firmly against the notion of releasing the brothers. In contrast, another group advocates for their release, citing past allegations of sexual abuse by their father.
Gascón’s remarks come a few weeks following his press conference, during which he disclosed that he is reconsidering the case after a letter purportedly written by Erik to his cousin Andy Cano months prior to the murders surfaced, shedding light on allegations of abuse by his father, alongside claims from Roy Rosselló, a former member of Menudo, regarding abuse by José.
Erik and Lyle have faced incarceration since their arrest in 1990. At their initial trial, they disclosed their alleged abuse experiences, but it resulted in a hung jury.
During the retrial, the judge dismissed the possibility of such testimony, yet now Gascón is keenly observing. We can expect to learn soon whether this development serves as a critical turning point for the brothers’ chance at a retrial.