Latest news with #CaliforniaDepartmentofCorrectionsandRehabilitation
RTÉ News
7 days ago
- RTÉ News
Lawyer seeks Erik Menendez release, citing medical issue
Erik Menendez, one of two brothers who is serving a life sentence for the murder of their parents in the United States, has been taken to hospital with a "serious medical condition". His lawyer, Mark Geragos, said that he is seeking the 57-year-old's release from prison because of the issue. Erik is serving a life without parole sentence, along with his brother Lyle Menendez, 54, after they were convicted of murdering their parents at their home in Beverly Hills, California in 1989. A judge recently resentenced the brothers to 50 years to life, making them immediately eligible for parole. "I do believe they've done enough over the last 35 years that one day they should get that chance" to be freed, Judge Michael Jesic said. The men will appear before the state's parole board next month. The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation confirmed that Erik Menendez was taken to an outside medical facility and is "in fair condition". Mr Geragos told TMZ that his client has a "serious medical condition" and should receive a prison furlough, something that Californian authorities granted some inmates during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Mint
7 days ago
- Mint
Erik Menendez hospitalised in ‘serious' condition, lawyer pushes for temporary release; parole hearing next month
Erik Menendez, one of the infamous Menendez brothers convicted of killing their parents in 1989, has been hospitalised with a serious medical condition, prompting his attorney to seek his temporary release from prison ahead of a crucial parole hearing next month. Menendez, 57, has been serving a life sentence without parole alongside his brother Lyle for the murder of José and Mary Louise 'Kitty' Menendez in their Beverly Hills mansion. The case gained national attention in the 1990s due to its shocking nature and televised trial, with the brothers claiming they acted in self-defense after enduring years of sexual abuse by their father. In a recent development, a judge resentenced Erik and Lyle to 50 years to life, rendering them immediately eligible for parole. Their hearings are scheduled for August 21 and 22 before the California state parole board. Any decision to release them will require final approval from Governor Gavin Newsom. The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation confirmed that Erik was transferred to an outside medical facility on Friday and remains there in "fair condition." While the nature of his illness has not been disclosed, attorney Mark Geragos described it as a 'serious medical condition' and is urging authorities to grant Erik a furlough, similar to those granted to certain inmates during the COVID-19 pandemic. The hospitalisation and upcoming parole hearings come amid renewed legal scrutiny of the Menendez case. Just last week, a Los Angeles judge ordered local prosecutors to justify why the brothers' convictions should not be reexamined in light of newly surfaced evidence that may support their long-standing claims of sexual abuse by their father. The order was issued in response to a habeas corpus petition filed in May 2023, separate from their resentencing proceedings. Defense attorneys argue that the new evidence further substantiates the brothers' original defense — that they acted out of fear and trauma, not greed. Prosecutors, however, have consistently maintained that the murders were financially motivated.
1News
23-07-2025
- 1News
Erik Menendez's attorney seeking his early release over medical condition
An attorney is seeking Erik Menendez's release from prison because of a medical condition after he was taken to a hospital. The 57-year-old has been serving a life without parole sentence along with his brother Lyle Menendez after being convicted of murdering their parents in their Beverly Hills, California, home in 1989. A judge recently resentenced the brothers to 50 years to life, making them immediately eligible for parole. They will appear in front of the state parole board on August 21 and 22. The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation confirmed Erik Menendez was taken to an outside medical facility Saturday and remained there today "in fair condition". His lawyer, Mark Geragos, told TMZ that Menendez was having a "serious medical condition" and should receive a prison furlough, something the governor granted some inmates during the Covid-19 pandemic. Geragos did not elaborate on the condition, but he said releasing Menendez was the "only fair and equitable thing to do" so he had time to prepare for his parole hearing properly. ADVERTISEMENT Geragos' office confirmed his comments to TMZ but did not make him available for an interview. California Governor Gavin Newsom's office and a representative for the family declined to comment. A judge last week ordered Los Angeles prosecutors to explain why Erik and Lyle Menendez's murder convictions should not be re-examined in light of new evidence supporting their claims of sexual abuse by their father. While defence attorneys at the time argued the brothers acted out of self-defence after years of sexual abuse by their father, prosecutors said the brothers killed their parents for a multimillion-dollar inheritance. The order was in response to a habeas corpus petition filed by the Menendez brothers in May 2023 seeking a review of their convictions in a process separate from their resentencing bid.
Sky News AU
23-07-2025
- Sky News AU
Erik Menendez being treated in hospital for 'serious medical condition' ahead of parole board hearing
Erik Menendez is out of prison while being treated in hospital for a "serious medical condition," his lawyer has confirmed. Erik, 54 and Lyle Menendez, 57, referred to as the Menendez brothers, have served than 30 years behind bars for the vicious 1989 shotgun slayings of their parents, José and Kitty, in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles. It's now possible Erik will never return to his cell again. He is receiving treatment for kidney stones, sources told TMZ on Tuesday. The killer siblings have a parole board hearing on August 22 where it will be decided if they deserve to be freed. It's up to Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom to put his stamp of approval on the brothers' release if the parole board recommends it, which would ultimately lead to their freedom. Erik's attorney Mark Geragos confirmed Erik's condition to TMZ, calling for Mr Newsom to release the 54-year-old immediately before the trial date. "If there was ever anybody who should be furloughed, especially right now, a month before the hearing, it's Erik," Mr Geros said. "He's being treated right now. I'll leave it at that. It's a serious condition, and I think he needs to be out so he can focus on the hearing." Mr Geragos remained tight-lipped on further details of Erik's health but said his kidney stones were "hopefully not" life-threatening. The youngest of the brothers was transported to an outside medical facility by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation on Friday where he remains in a "fair condition", TMZ reported. The publication's sources said Mr Newsom is currently reviewing Erik's change in health to determine if a "prison furlough" is appropriate. The California governor in February indicated he is sympathetic towards granting clemency to Erik and Lyle. He could cut Erik a major break by granting a furlough, allowing him to avoid returning to prison until the parole board reviews his case. Nevertheless, the length of the furlough if granted could only be until Erik's Kidney stones pass. The brothers' cousin Anamaria Baralt in February told ABC Erik and Lyle have "cautious optimism" they'll be released after Mr Newsom addressed the brothers' request for clemency and ordered the parole board to investigate if they pose "an unreasonable risk to the public" if released. "They are the first life without parole prisoners on this path," another cousin Tamara Goodell said. "So when we look at any definitely with hope, but also understanding that there are no promises." A Los Angeles judge in May reduced the sentences for the killer siblings from life without parole to 50 years to life with the possibility of parole. The ruling followed an October 2024 Netflix documentary about the brothers' murders, which sparked significant public discussion and re-examination of their case, particularly regarding the impact of childhood sexual abuse and changing societal attitudes towards male victims. The defence has claimed Lyke and Erik, who were 21 and 18 at the time, acted in self-defence after years of sexual abuse by their wealthy father. Prosecutors alleged they killed for money.
Chicago Tribune
23-07-2025
- Chicago Tribune
Lawyer seeks release for Erik Menendez, citing medical condition
LOS ANGELES— Erik Menendez has been hospitalized, prompting his attorney to seek his release from prison ahead of an upcoming parole hearing. The 57-year-old had been serving a sentence of life without parole along with his brother Lyle Menendez after being convicted of murdering their parents in their Beverly Hills, California, home in 1989. A judge recently resentenced the brothers to 50 years to life, making them immediately eligible for parole. They will appear in front of the state parole board Aug. 21 and 22. If the board determines they are eligible for parole, Gov. Gavin Newsom must review the decision before they are released. The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation confirmed Erik Menendez was taken to an outside medical facility Friday and remained there Tuesday 'in fair condition.' His lawyer, Mark Geragos, told TMZ that Menendez was having a 'serious medical condition' and should receive a prison furlough, something the governor granted some inmates during the COVID-19 pandemic. Geragos did not elaborate on the condition, but he said releasing Menendez was the 'only fair and equitable thing to do' so he had time to prepare for his parole hearing properly. Geragos' office confirmed his comments to TMZ but did not make him available for an interview. Newsom's office and a representative for the family declined to comment. A judge last week ordered Los Angeles prosecutors to explain why Erik and Lyle Menendez's murder convictions should not be reexamined in light of new evidence supporting their claims of sexual abuse by their father. While defense attorneys at the time argued the brothers acted out of self-defense after years of sexual abuse by their father, prosecutors said the brothers killed their parents for a multimillion-dollar inheritance. The order was in response to a habeas corpus petition filed by the Menendez brothers in May 2023 seeking a review of their convictions in a process separate from their resentencing bid.
