LOS ANGELES – There is still uncertainty about whether Erik and Lyle Menendez will ever be released from prison, as their resentencing hearing has been delayed for another month. This delay comes after a judge decided that two pending motions needed to be addressed before the resentencing process could proceed.
The main point of contention revolves around the motion filed by Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman, who is advocating for access to a section of the comprehensive risk assessment (CRA) report. This report was requested by California Governor Gavin Newsom in relation to the clemency petition submitted by the Menendez brothers. Additionally, the Menendez brothers’ legal team has requested that the District Attorney be reprimanded for displaying graphic crime scene photos during the previous week’s hearing.
Attorneys and Judge Michael Jesic will meet on May 9 to discuss next steps after the planned two-day resentencing was called off.
Court was paused for a short recess on Thursday as Jesic needed to clear up confusion and address frustrations over the CRA report.
Hochman’s office said they “are aware of the defense’s concerns and welcome the opportunity to address them in court.”
“Our office is dedicated to upholding ethical standards and ensuring fair prosecution. We are confident that the evidence will show that our actions have been professional, appropriate, and aligned with the pursuit of justice,” stated Hochman.
He also thanked his team of prosecutors — Balian and Deputy District Attorneys Seth Carmack and Ethan Milius — for their “unwavering commitment to ensuring that the Court is presented with the full picture.”
“They have shown extraordinary dedication and professionalism throughout this process, and their work continues to honor the memory of Jose and Kitty Menendez,” Hochman said.
Hochman previously criticized the brothers’ decision to “stubbornly remain hunkered down in their over 30-year-old bunker of lies, deceit and denials.”
The Menendez brothers and their supporters have been pushing for a resentencing hearing, saying the brothers had been unfairly convicted to life in prison in 1996 for murdering their two parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez, in their Beverly Hills home in 1989.
Their first trial ended in a mistrial, when jurors couldn’t agree on their fate. After a second trial in the mid-1990s, in which some of their evidence about the alleged sexual abuse was excluded, jurors agreed with prosecutors that their motive had been greed.
Fox News Digital’s Sarah Rumpf-Whitten and Michael Ruiz contributed to this report.
Stepheny Price is a writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business. She covers topics including missing persons, homicides, national crime cases, illegal immigration, and more. Story tips and ideas can be sent to [email protected]
