Menendez Brothers Ask for Mercy as Angry Trial Endangers – Crime Online

Erik and Lyle Menendez, who is serving life sentences for killing their parents in 1989, asked for clemency from California Gov. Gavin Newson on Monday, just days after prosecutors announced he would seek resentencing for the brothers.

KTLA reports that Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón sends letter to Governor Newsom supporting Menendez brothers’ pardon offer. In last week’s episode of the “Politickin” podcast, Newsom said he reviewed their case and watched the Netflix docuseries “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story,” which brought new attention to the case.

The brothers’ request for clemency came just days after Gascón said he would try to anger the pair. Erik and Lyle Menendez spent 34 years behind bars because they were ineligible for parole due to their current sentences.

Last Thursday, Gascón said he would ask the court to remove the parole ineligibility requirement from the sentences and resentencing them for murder. If successful, the couple will be sentenced to 50 years to life in prison with parole. However, he believes they will be released on parole because they were under 26 when the murders took place.

Menendez brothers seek pardon as revenge bid may be in danger. According to Variety, Gascón is up for re-election and is said to be eyeing his opponent. The resentment hearing is scheduled for Dec. 11, after Election Day, meaning Gascón could withdraw if he loses.

Additionally, the case was assigned to a new judge, LA County Superior Court Judge Michael Jesic, earlier this week. As CrimeOnline reports.

In 1989, Erik and Lyle Menendez, then 18 and 21, bought two shotguns with cash and used them to kill their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez, in their Beverly Hills home. Investigators initially suspected the mafia was behind the murders. However, there was a breakthrough in the case in 1990 when Erik Menendez confessed to a therapist.

Evidence that Erik and Lyle Menendez’s father abused them was presented at their first trial, resulting in a hung jury. However, these details were not as clear in the second trial, which resulted in a conviction.

At the time, prosecutors claimed the brothers wanted access to their inheritance. However, Gascón said he had a photocopy of a letter written by Erik Menendez, which also confirmed the allegations of sexual abuse.

Gascón also said that he was aware of the allegations made by Roy Rosello, a former member of the boy band Menudo. Rosello said Jose Menendez sexually harassed her while he was a producer at RCA Records.

It is worth noting that Gascón may recommend resentencing, but a judge will make the final decision on resentencing. The status hearing is scheduled for November 25.

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(Feature Photo: California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation via AP)