Governor Newsom’s Decision on Menendez Brothers Resentencing Involves ‘Political Calculus’

The Menendez brothers are one step closer to seeing life outside prison walls as they face the next hurdle, a parole board hearing, in their bid for release from the 1989 shotgun slayings of their parents in Beverly Hills. 

Criminal defense attorney Sam Bassett of Minton, Bassett, Flores & Carsey in Austin, Texas, told Fox News Digital that the spotlight will now shift to the state Parole Board and Gov. Gavin Newsom. 

“There is no doubt that Newsom is doing some political calculus on this decision,” he said. 

In Bassett’s view, the Parole Board “will consider input from all interested persons, especially the victims’ family members,” weigh the results of the Comprehensive Risk Assessments (CRA), and require the brothers to demonstrate their remorse and acceptance of responsibility.

“Many believe that such prior abuse is given much more weight now than it was in the 1990s, both legally and socially,” he said. 

The brothers are set to appear before the Parole Board via video on June 13, 2025, at the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility. 

The board will either recommend or veto the brothers’ release. Newsom has the final say over whether they should go free.