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Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Yahoo
Will the Menendez Brothers Be Freed from Prison? What We Know About the Results of Their Resentencing
In 1996, brothers Lyle and Erik Menendez were sentenced to life in prison without parole for murdering their parents, Kitty and José Menendez Nearly three decades later, on May 13, a California judge resentenced the brothers to 50 years to life in prison Now, they are eligible for parole for the first timeAfter spending over 30 years in prison for the 1989 murder of their parents, the Menendez brothers have a shot at freedom. On May 13, a California judge ruled that Erik and Lyle Menendez would be resentenced from life in prison without parole to 50 years to life in prison, nearly 36 years after they shot and killed their parents, José and Kitty Menendez, in their Beverly Hills, Calif., home. In 1989, Erik confessed to his psychologist, whose mistress later reported it to the police. The brothers were arrested and, after two trials, eventually convicted in 1996 of first-degree murder, receiving life sentences without the possibility of parole. Now, the resentencing makes Erik and Lyle immediately eligible for parole and allows Gov. Gavin Newsom to commute their sentence, per Fox 11 Los Angeles. The Menendez siblings made a virtual video appearance at the hearing and took 'full responsibility' for the murders, Fox News reported. Lyle said that he was 'filled with rage' at the time and that if he had the coping skills to deal with his emotions, he wouldn't have killed his parents. Here's everything to know about the Menendez brothers' new sentence and what it means for their potential for freedom. Lyle and Erik were first tried in 1993, where prosecutors claimed that they murdered their parents to inherit their $14 million fortune. The brothers testified that they killed them out of fear that José, who they alleged had sexually abused them for years, and Kitty, who enabled the molestation, were planning to kill them first. After the first trial ended in a deadlock, Lyle and Erik were tried again in 1996 and found guilty of first-degree murder in their parents' deaths. They were both sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Though Lyle and Erik have appealed their convictions multiple times, they've always been denied. It wasn't until their lawyers filed a petition for a writ of habeas corpus in May 2023 — citing new evidence alleged in the docuseries Menendez + Menudo: Boys Betrayed — that they had a real shot at freedom. In the 2023 Peacock series, former 1980s boy band Menudo member Roy Rosselló claimed that he was drugged and raped by José, who was the head of RCA Records at the time of his murder. The writ also included a letter Erik allegedly had written to a cousin months before the 1989 shooting that detailed his father's alleged abuse. Over a year after the petition was filed, then-Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascón made his formal recommendation that the Menendez brothers be resentenced as they qualified as 'youthful offenders' during the murders. When Gascón lost his reelection, the new DA, Nathan Hochman, tried to withdraw Lyle and Erik's resentencing. But Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Michael Jesic denied the request. On May 13, Judge Jesic ruled to resentence Lyle and Erik to 50 years to life in prison. This new sentence means that for the first time, they're eligible for parole and could potentially go free. The judge acknowledged the 'absolutely horrific crime' the brothers committed, but said that he was moved by how they've spent their lives behind bars. "Life without parole gives an inmate no hope, no reason to do anything good,' the judge told reporters. 'And I give them a lot of credit. It's remarkable what they did when they had no hope of getting out." The Menendez brothers have spent 35 years in jail after their arrest in 1990. While imprisoned, Lyle spoke to a crowd over the phone at Nashville's CrimeCon in June 2024, sharing that he got his bachelor's degree in sociology from the University of California, Irvine. At the time, he said he was also considering getting a master's degree in urban planning to help with the work he's been doing to redesign the prison yard. 'I just decided even though I'm incarcerated and there isn't hope of freedom, I still have a chance to be a productive person and sort of feel like I'm proud of what I'm doing with my day,' Lyle said. 'Education seemed like an obvious answer to that question.' Erik reportedly spends his time meditating and is focused on his spirituality. With the 2025 resentencing, Erik and Lyle became immediately eligible for parole — but that doesn't mean they'll be walking free anytime soon. The California Board of Parole Hearings must determine if the Menendez brothers are suitable for release, per NPR. Even if they approve parole, the governor can still review and veto the decision, a process that can take up to 150 days. Newsom said in February that he had asked the parole board to investigate if the brothers posed an 'unreasonable' risk to public safety, per NBC. Erik and Lyle had already had a board hearing set for June 13, 2025, for a separate clemency petition. It's unclear if that meeting will also serve as their first parole hearing. The day following the resentencing, lawyers told PEOPLE that it could still take some time for Lyle and Erik to be released. 'I think it's a matter of months,' former Assistant U.S. Attorney Neama Rahmani told PEOPLE. 'I think the Menendez brothers will be out as early as the summer, if not fall, and have some sort of reality TV show in 2026. It's going be surreal, but they're going to be free.' According to Los Angeles-based criminal defense attorney Shaheen Manshoory, the parole board has to be scheduled within '180 days from the date of resentencing.' After that, Newsom has 120 days to either to approve the pardon, modify it or deny it. Read the original article on People
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Yahoo
Judge Resentences Erik and Lyle Menendez, Making Brothers Eligible for Parole — and Possible Freedom
A judge has ruled that the Menendez brothers, who were convicted in 1996 of murdering their parents, can be resentenced, paving the way for the brothers to go free, according to reports by Fox 11 Los Angeles, NBC News and ABC 10 San Diego. Lyle, now 57, and Erik, now 54, were sentenced to life in prison without parole for fatally shooting their parents Jose and Kitty Menendez, in the den of their Beverly Hills, Calif., home on Aug. 20, 1989. The killings, according to the brothers, came after years of sexual abuse by Jose — abuse which they claimed was ignored by their mother. Prosecutors at the time said the two brothers' motive was greed and cited their lavish spending spree after the slayings. But in the decades since, Lyle and Erik have maintained that they feared for their lives and that Jose had threatened to kill them if they told anyone about the sexual abuse. Many members of Lyle and Erik's family have openly supported their bid for release, including their maternal aunt Joan VanderMolen. Family members supported the brothers' bid for release by testifying at their re-sentencing hearing. The case re-emergered in May 2023 when the brothers' lawyers filed a Habeas Corpus petition in Los Angeles County Superior Court seeking a new trial based on new evidence. The evidence includes a letter Erik wrote eight months before the murders including mentions of the alleged molestation and Roy Rosselló's claims that he was drugged and raped by José in the 1980s. By October 2024, the brothers had the support of then-Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascón, who formally recommended that the brothers each be resentenced to 50 years to life, making them immediately eligible for parole. However, Gascón lost the November election to Hochman, who then withdrew his predecessor's resentencing recommendation. Related: Menendez Family Reveals Erik and Lyle's Mindset as the Brothers Await Their Last Chance for Freedom (Exclusive) Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. Hochman has tried to argue that the brothers have not taken full responsibility for their crimes and accused them of telling "lies" for the "past 30 years," per a press conference last fall. As far as clemency, Governor Gavin Newsom said his decision will not be made until after their final hearing. If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse, text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor. Read the original article on People
Fox News
05-05-2025
- Fox News
3 dead, 9 missing near San Diego after boat washes ashore
Three people are dead and nine were missing Monday after a panga-style boat washed ashore near San Diego in California, reports say. The U.S. Coast Guard announced that it is "currently searching for 9 missing individuals off the Coast of Del Mar" after it received a "report of an overturned vessel." First responders who arrived at the scene found three people dead and four survivors, according to Fox11 Los Angeles. The San Diego County Sheriff's Office said its deputies are assisting the Coast Guard "with providing life-saving measures related to a maritime event on the beach near the 200 block of Stratford Court." "Look for increased law enforcement activity in the area," they added. The circumstances leading up to the incident are unclear. Coast Guard officials said they did not know where the 12-foot boat was coming from before it flipped. Multiple people were taken to a local hospital to be treated for various injuries, Jorge Sanchez, deputy fire chief with the Encinitas Fire Department, told KSWB. Hikers and others at Torrey Pines State Beach reported seeing a boat capsize near the shore at about 6:30 a.m., Lt. Nick Backouris of the San Diego Sheriff's Office told the Associated Press. "A doctor hiking nearby called in and said, 'I see people doing CPR on the beach, I'm running that way,'" Backouris said. Pangas are open boats designed for fishing but commonly used by smugglers, according to the AP. In 2023, eight people were killed when two migrant smuggling boats approached a San Diego beach amid heavy fog. One boat capsized in the surf, marking one of the deadliest human smuggling operations ever in the U.S.
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
The Death of Nurse Hailey Has Ignited a Conversation Around Amniotic Fluid Embolisms
Justin Paget/Getty One minute, emergency room nurse Hailey Okula was sharing a "quick little laugh" with her husband over their newborn son and the next, she was gone. That's how L.A. firefighter Matthew Okula described his wife's tragic passing on March 31, shortly after the 33-year-old nursing influencer delivered their son via C-section. "It just came upon me so quickly, unexpectedly," Matthew said in an interview with Fox 11 Los Angeles on April 2. Matthew says he'd just walked out of Hailey's hospital room with baby Crew when his wife went into cardiac arrest due to a 'very, very rare complication" called amniotic fluid embolism (AFE). According to the Cleveland Clinic, AFE is a 'rare and life-threatening complication that occurs when a pregnant woman gets amniotic fluid into their bloodstream just before, during, or immediately after childbirth.' 'A minute later, the doctor let's me know that they're doing CPR on her,' the firefighter recalled. "I'm making the decision, 'Am I going to the ICU to be with my wife or am I staying with my newborn little baby?' Not the decision we thought I would be making." Nurse Hailey's passing has sparked a conversation about amniotic fluid embolism, which effects 1 in every 40,000 deliveries in the United State and is 'very difficult to diagnose,' per the Cleveland Clinic. Here's what you need to know. The death of Hailey Okula has understandably left a large community of nursing students, healthcare workers, and prospective parents reeling. Known online as 'Nurse Hailey,' the ER nurse had amassed over 680,000 followers across TikTok and Instagram for sharing tips and resources for healthcare workers and nursing grads on her social media accounts and through her business, RN New Grads. 'Hailey poured her soul into her career as a nurse and her passion for teaching others through her business, RN New Grads," Matthew wrote on Instagram while sharing the news of her passing on April 1. "She was so proud of it and was dedicated to creating something meaningful, not just for herself, but for the nursing community she loved so much. She dreamed of helping new nurses thrive while also being present for our sweet Crew, building a life and legacy she was so proud of.' Over the years, the nursing influencer also shared candid look at her infertility struggles and pregnancy journey. "She wanted to be a mom so incredibly bad," Matt told Fox 11 Los Angeles. Amniotic fluid is the liquid that surrounds a fetus in utero prior to birth. Per the Cleveland Clinic, the fluid is 'made of mostly water but also contains fetal cells and tissue.' According to the Cleveland Clinic, some patients experience an 'extreme allergic reaction' when amniotic fluid mixes into the bloodstream before, which is a 'normal part of the birthing process.' For 'mostly unknown' reasons, an amniotic fluid embolism 'can lead to heart and lung failure, which causes several complications due to a lack of oxygenated blood in your body.' In turn, this can lead to cardiac arrest or uncontrollable bleeding from the uterus or C-section incision. The Cleveland Clinic reports that symptoms of AFE 'develop suddenly and quickly,' and can be difficult to diagnose due to their similarities with other pregnancy and birth complications. Symptoms typically occur during childbirth or within 30 minutes of the delivery and can include shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, sudden drop in blood pressure, pulmonary edema (fluid in your lungs), abnormal heart rate, chills, sudden anxiety or agitation, and bleeding from the uterus or C-section incision." Dr. Lauren Demosthenes, an OBGYN and Senior Medical Director with Babyscripts, tells Glamour that symptoms are 'dramatic and quick,' noting 'patients may feel sense of doom or anxiety.' Motherhood Elaine Welteroth: 'We Shouldn't Be Dying in Birth Anymore' The US has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world. Journalist and broadcaster Elaine Welteroth has launched a birth fund, and an advocacy movement, to combat this. AFEs are rare but have a high mortality rate, says Dr. Demosthenes, noting that 'OB providers may never see one.' She adds that although hard data is difficult to come by due to the condition's unpredictability, 70% of AFEs occur during labor and the fatality rate is 50%, if not higher. 'Ultimately AFE leads to cardiopulmonary failure and DIC, which is uncontrolled bleeding due to disruption of clotting factors,' Demosthenes says. 'Response needs to be quick with a team of people who can provide CPR, respiratory support, blood products, and ICU care." She continues, "Risk cannot be lowered, but response and mortality can be improved by training and having the CPR, respiratory, anesthesia, neonatology teams, high risk pregnancy teams, and ICU capability readily available. Of course, this may be difficult in rural hospitals or hospitals that are not equipped for this. But response needs to be immediate to reduce mortality.' Many of Nurse Hailey's followers have taken to the comments section of her social media feeds to share personal stories, messages of support, and resources related to AFE. 'I am so sorry for your loss. I had an amniotic embolism when I gave birth to my son via C-section. My heart stopped for 24 seconds,' one user replied to Matthew's broadcast interview. 'Thankfully, I made it out and I'm here today. I am praying for your family.' Another responded, 'I hope baby Crew grows up always knowing that his mother was such an amazing woman and always gave her heart to the community 🤍 I would not be the nurse I am today without her help and guidance! I praying for you and your family!!!🙏🏽' For some expectant parents, the 'unpredictable' nature of AFE leads to severe anxiety. As the Cleveland Clinic notes, 'Unfortunately, there's no way to prevent amniotic fluid embolism. Healthcare providers are still unsure why AFE happens and what exactly causes this condition.' The common advice shared in one Reddit thread about such fears: Stay off social media. 'It really does not help to read or hear about horror stories," one user commented, adding, 'Pregnancy is scary. I feel like this hasn't been spoken about in the past, but more and more people are openly talking about the scary things that happen to them, and that's great. It's important people know the risks of pregnancy. But while you're pregnant? It doesn't help. As someone with medical anxiety I say live in a bubble until you bring that beautiful babe into the world.' However, another wrote, 'Hailey's story is [heart] breaking. Maybe I'm in the minority here, but I like to be informed about any possibilities.' Matthew captioned his local Fox interview with a message to his wife. 'Through sheer dedication, you taught yourself everything—running a business, marketing, content creation, and so much more,' Matthew wrote, in part. "You created a community that trusted you, inspiring and educating millions of new grad nurses, RNs, doctors, and beyond. Your impact was immense, and I couldn't be more proud." He continued, "Crew is going to grow up hearing about the incredible woman his mom was—how strong, brilliant, and fearless she was in everything she did. He'll know that she was a true force, changing lives and leaving a legacy that will never be forgotten." To donate to the Amniotic Fluid Embolism foundation or the GoFundMe for Matthew Okula and his son, Crew, click here and here. Originally Appeared on Glamour
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ex-Biden official running in blue state gubernatorial race must tackle key issue amid skyrocketing costs
California gubernatorial candidate and former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra said the state may need to rein in its Medicaid program as it faces concerns about costs partly related to those in the country illegally using the system. Becerra, a Democrat who previously served as the Golden State's attorney general, explained his stance in an interview with Fox 11 Los Angeles this week. "I believe we should eventually get there," he said about allowing people to enroll in Medi-Cal even if they're undocumented. House Republicans Grill Hhs Secretary Becerra Over Migrant Children: 'Would Not Want To Be You' "Can we afford to do it? That's where a governor has to decide... if we can't afford it, we have to be realistic. If we can't afford it, how do we do it?" he added. "But when you do the scrub… this is where it's important, if you don't have the dollars to do it, how do you do it? You need the money. California needs a balanced budget. You scrub it. If you find a way, you do it and don't delay. But if you scrub it and you can't figure out how to do it, then that's the reality and that's the choices we have," the former Biden official continued. Read On The Fox News App The overall Medi-Cal program was originally expected to cost $6 billion until a California budget official revealed that it's projected to cost $9.5 billion this fiscal year. The governor's office then asked for two separate loans, totaling $6.2 billion. Alleged Ms-13 Gang Leader Linked To Nearly A Dozen Murders, On The Run For Years Nabbed In Long Island: Doj When asked by KCRA, Gov. Gavin Newsom, who is term-limited and will leave office in January 2027, said that while illegal immigrants in the program are not the whole issue, it's a contributing factor. "That's partial," Newsom said last month. Click Here For More Immigration Coverage "With tough fiscal choices ahead, Governor Newsom, jointly with Pro Tem McGuire and Speaker Rivas, will evaluate proposals to rein in long-term spending – including in Medi-Cal – while working to protect the core health and social services Californians rely on," Newsom spokesperson Izzy Gardon said in a statement to Fox News Digital. The governor and his office have said rising costs have led to higher than expected Medicaid costs in other states that do not allow illegal immigrants to enroll. "Immigration status doesn't matter," according to the California Department of Health Care services website, but Republicans have staunchly criticized allowing illegal immigrants in the program. Colleges In Ice's Deportation Crosshairs Shelled Out Discounts, Financial Aid To Illegal Immigrants: Gop Rep "Even Jerry Brown refused to expand Medi-Cal to all illegal immigrants because he knew it was fiscally irresponsible and unsustainable," California Senate Minority Leader Brian Jones tweeted last month. "Now under Newsom, legal residents are paying the price both financially and in reduced access to healthcare. The public deserves answers: Why are the costs so much higher than what Newsom promised? What is Newsom's plan to fix the financial disaster he created?" The 2026 California governor's race is expected to be contentious, as Becerra, former Rep. Katie Porter, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, and Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis are already in the race on the Democratic side. Reports swirl that former Vice President Kamala Harris could make her comeback into politics after losing the 2024 election by running for governor. On the Republican side, Riverside Sheriff Chad Bianco is currently in the race, and many others are expected to join article source: Ex-Biden official running in blue state gubernatorial race must tackle key issue amid skyrocketing costs
