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Belfast Telegraph
13-05-2025
- Belfast Telegraph
Cousins of Menendez brothers say they would welcome them if judge frees them
The brothers did not show any apparent emotion during most of the evidence as they appeared by videolink, but appeared to chuckle when one of their cousins, Diane Hernandez, told the court that Erik Menendez received A+ grades in all his classes during his most recent semester in college. A Los Angeles judge is presiding over the hearing that is expected to last two days. If he shortens their sentences, the brothers would still need approval from the state's parole board to get out of prison. They could then potentially go free on time served. They were sentenced in 1996 to life in prison without the possibility of parole for murdering their father Jose Menendez and mother Kitty Menendez in their Beverly Hills home in 1989. The brothers were 18 and 21 at the time. While defence lawyers argued that 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. Due to wildfires in the LA area, and disputes between prosecutors and defence lawyers, the hearings were delayed for months. The case has captured public attention for decades — and last year, the Netflix drama Monsters: The Lyle And Erik Menendez Story and documentary The Menendez Brothers brought new attention to the case. Supporters of the brothers have flown in from across the country to attend rallies and hearings in the past few months. The judge started the hearing by reminding the packed courtroom that prosecutors must prove the brothers are at an 'unreasonable risk' of committing serious and violent crimes if they are released. The defence began by calling Ana Maria Baralt, a cousin of Erik and Lyle, who said the brothers have repeatedly expressed remorse for their actions. 'We all, on both sides of the family, believe that 35 years is enough,' she said. 'They are universally forgiven by our family.' Another cousin, Tamara Goodell, said she had recently taken her 13-year-old son to meet the brothers in prison, and they would contribute a lot of good to the world if released. 'Lyle is so excited to continue the Green Space project,' Ms Goodell said, referring to a prison beautification initiative he started a few years ago. 'They are going to do amazing work.' Finally, Ms Hernandez, who also gave evidence during Erik and Lyle's first trial, spoke about the abuse she witnessed in the Menendez household when she lived with them. 'When Jose was with one of the boys … you couldn't even go up the stairs to be on the same floor,' she said. She and several cousins called it the 'hallway rule' that facilitated Jose Menendez's sexual abuse of his son. The resentencing hearing will centre on whether the brothers have been rehabilitated in prison and deserve a lesser sentence of 50 years to life. That would make them eligible for parole under California's youthful offender law because they committed the crime under the age of 26. Their defence lawyer, Mark Geragos, said outside the court on Tuesday that he wants the judge to reduce thei charges to manslaughter and give them time served to allow them to be released immediately. At least seven family members are expected to give evidence at the hearings. Los Angeles County prosecutors say the brothers have not taken complete responsibility for the crime. Prosecutors are likely to reference preliminary findings from a forensic psychologist who looked at whether the brothers posed a risk to society if released, an assessment ordered by the state parole board. The admissibility of the results in court have been a point of contention for the two sides as they have not been made public, but the judge said last Friday that some parts can be included.
Irish Examiner
13-05-2025
- Irish Examiner
Cousins of Menendez brothers say they would welcome them if judge frees them
Several cousins of Erik and Lyle Menendez have told the brothers' resentencing hearing that they should be released after serving nearly 30 years in prison for the murder of their parents, and that they would welcome them into their homes. The brothers did not show any apparent emotion during most of the evidence as they appeared by videolink, but appeared to chuckle when one of their cousins, Diane Hernandez, told the court that Erik Menendez received A+ grades in all his classes during his most recent semester in college. A Los Angeles judge is presiding over the hearing that is expected to last two days. If he shortens their sentences, the brothers would still need approval from the state's parole board to get out of prison. They could then potentially go free on time served. We all, on both sides of the family, believe that 35 years is enough. They are universally forgiven by our family They were sentenced in 1996 to life in prison without the possibility of parole for murdering their father Jose Menendez and mother Kitty Menendez in their Beverly Hills home in 1989. The brothers were 18 and 21 at the time. While defence lawyers argued that 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. Due to wildfires in the LA area, and disputes between prosecutors and defence lawyers, the hearings were delayed for months. The case has captured public attention for decades — and last year, the Netflix drama Monsters: The Lyle And Erik Menendez Story and documentary The Menendez Brothers brought new attention to the case. Supporters of the brothers have flown in from across the country to attend rallies and hearings in the past few months. Ana Maria Baralt arrives at court in Los Angeles (Damian Dovarganes/AP) The judge started the hearing by reminding the packed courtroom that prosecutors must prove the brothers are at an 'unreasonable risk' of committing serious and violent crimes if they are released. The defence began by calling Ana Maria Baralt, a cousin of Erik and Lyle, who said the brothers have repeatedly expressed remorse for their actions. 'We all, on both sides of the family, believe that 35 years is enough,' she said. 'They are universally forgiven by our family.' Another cousin, Tamara Goodell, said she had recently taken her 13-year-old son to meet the brothers in prison, and they would contribute a lot of good to the world if released. Lyle and Erik Menendez in court in 1990 (Kevork Djansezian/AP) 'Lyle is so excited to continue the Green Space project,' Ms Goodell said, referring to a prison beautification initiative he started a few years ago. 'They are going to do amazing work.' Finally, Ms Hernandez, who also gave evidence during Erik and Lyle's first trial, spoke about the abuse she witnessed in the Menendez household when she lived with them. 'When Jose was with one of the boys … you couldn't even go up the stairs to be on the same floor,' she said. She and several cousins called it the 'hallway rule' that facilitated Jose Menendez's sexual abuse of his son. The resentencing hearing will centre on whether the brothers have been rehabilitated in prison and deserve a lesser sentence of 50 years to life. That would make them eligible for parole under California's youthful offender law because they committed the crime under the age of 26. Lawyer Mark Geragos (Jae C Hong/AP) Their defence lawyer, Mark Geragos, said outside the court on Tuesday that he wants the judge to reduce thei charges to manslaughter and give them time served to allow them to be released immediately. At least seven family members are expected to give evidence at the hearings. Los Angeles County prosecutors say the brothers have not taken complete responsibility for the crime. Prosecutors are likely to reference preliminary findings from a forensic psychologist who looked at whether the brothers posed a risk to society if released, an assessment ordered by the state parole board. The admissibility of the results in court have been a point of contention for the two sides as they have not been made public, but the judge said last Friday that some parts can be included.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Yahoo
Cousins of Menendez brothers say they would welcome them if judge frees them
Several cousins of Erik and Lyle Menendez have told the brothers' resentencing hearing that they should be released after serving nearly 30 years in prison for the murder of their parents, and that they would welcome them into their homes. The brothers did not show any apparent emotion during most of the evidence as they appeared by videolink, but appeared to chuckle when one of their cousins, Diane Hernandez, told the court that Erik Menendez received A+ grades in all his classes during his most recent semester in college. A Los Angeles judge is presiding over the hearing that is expected to last two days. If he shortens their sentences, the brothers would still need approval from the state's parole board to get out of prison. They could then potentially go free on time served. They were sentenced in 1996 to life in prison without the possibility of parole for murdering their father Jose Menendez and mother Kitty Menendez in their Beverly Hills home in 1989. The brothers were 18 and 21 at the time. While defence lawyers argued that 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. Due to wildfires in the LA area, and disputes between prosecutors and defence lawyers, the hearings were delayed for months. The case has captured public attention for decades — and last year, the Netflix drama Monsters: The Lyle And Erik Menendez Story and documentary The Menendez Brothers brought new attention to the case. Supporters of the brothers have flown in from across the country to attend rallies and hearings in the past few months. The judge started the hearing by reminding the packed courtroom that prosecutors must prove the brothers are at an 'unreasonable risk' of committing serious and violent crimes if they are released. The defence began by calling Ana Maria Baralt, a cousin of Erik and Lyle, who said the brothers have repeatedly expressed remorse for their actions. 'We all, on both sides of the family, believe that 35 years is enough,' she said. 'They are universally forgiven by our family.' Another cousin, Tamara Goodell, said she had recently taken her 13-year-old son to meet the brothers in prison, and they would contribute a lot of good to the world if released. 'Lyle is so excited to continue the Green Space project,' Ms Goodell said, referring to a prison beautification initiative he started a few years ago. 'They are going to do amazing work.' Finally, Ms Hernandez, who also gave evidence during Erik and Lyle's first trial, spoke about the abuse she witnessed in the Menendez household when she lived with them. 'When Jose was with one of the boys … you couldn't even go up the stairs to be on the same floor,' she said. She and several cousins called it the 'hallway rule' that facilitated Jose Menendez's sexual abuse of his son. The resentencing hearing will centre on whether the brothers have been rehabilitated in prison and deserve a lesser sentence of 50 years to life. That would make them eligible for parole under California's youthful offender law because they committed the crime under the age of 26. Their defence lawyer, Mark Geragos, said outside the court on Tuesday that he wants the judge to reduce thei charges to manslaughter and give them time served to allow them to be released immediately. At least seven family members are expected to give evidence at the hearings. Los Angeles County prosecutors say the brothers have not taken complete responsibility for the crime. Prosecutors are likely to reference preliminary findings from a forensic psychologist who looked at whether the brothers posed a risk to society if released, an assessment ordered by the state parole board. The admissibility of the results in court have been a point of contention for the two sides as they have not been made public, but the judge said last Friday that some parts can be included.
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Yahoo
Menendez brothers attorney's focus on grisly photos part of strategic defense play to free killers: experts
Erik and Lyle Menendez are leaning on a multipronged strategy as the brothers seek resentencing for their parents' California murders, legal experts said. The brothers' had their first resentencing hearing in Los Angeles on Thursday and will be back in court on May 9 as they try to get out of prison for killing their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez, in 1989. Los Angeles attorney Tre Lovell told Fox News Digital the defense is focusing on three major strategies: the brothers' rehabilitation, testimony from character witnesses, and revisiting the sexual abuse they claim to have endured as children. "They've changed since the crimes occurred," Lovell said, citing years of post-conviction efforts, including obtaining a college degree from UC Irvine, leading prison self-help classes, and starting support programs like Green Space and a hospice care initiative. Menendez Brothers' Aunt Hospitalized After Da Shares Graphic Photos In Court: 'There Was No Warning' "The resentencing criteria primarily focuses on post-conviction conduct to ensure that the defendants have changed and rehabilitated, and are not a threat to the public," he said. Read On The Fox News App Supporting their request, the defense is expected to present testimony from prison guards, supporters, and family members, including those who once opposed their release. "The fact that family members now support their release is very powerful," Lovell added. WATCH: Defense attorney on 'grisly' photos shown New Jersey attorney David Gelman weighed in on the defense's recent pushback against the prosecution's use of graphic crime scene photos shown during a hearing last week. "The defense is presenting a good argument," Gelman told Fox News Digital. "They're saying the horrific pictures violated Marsy's Law, which is supposed to protect victims' rights." SIGN UP TO GET True Crime Newsletter The defense claims Terry Baralt, the brothers' 85-year-old, was traumatized by viewing the graphic photos of the crime scene. She was hospitalized after the hearing. "We are devastated to share that Terry Baralt has been hospitalized and is in critical condition following the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office's cruel and careless conduct in court," a statement from the family read. "No physical pain has ever kept her from being there for her nephews. But the display put on by the DA's office pushed her past the brink." If Menendez Brothers Admit To 'Lies,' Los Angeles Da May Reconsider Resentencing Motion To Free Them: Report "I wouldn't want my family to see those images," Judge Michael Jesic said in court on Thursday. Gelman said that the defense's audience isn't public perception — but the judge. He said that painting District Attorney Nathan Hochman's office as "overzealous or vindictive" could help sway the decision in favor of the brothers' bid for freedom or a reduced sentence. The Comprehensive Risk Assessment (CRA) report, which was a psychological exam ordered by Gov. Gavin Newsom's office remains the biggest hurdle for the defense to overcome, Gelman said. Newsom's office told Fox News Digital that the risk assessment will be complete on June 13, 2025. They said that their office notified Jesic of the status of the CRA report and offered to share it with the court, if requested. California Gov Newsom Sets Menendez Brothers Parole Board Hearing Date In Bid For Clemency "The judge has already said he won't rule until he sees the CRA reports," Gelman said. "If this is an even argument right now, the report will tip the scales one way or another." Neama Rahmani, former federal prosecutor and president of West Coast Trial Lawyers, said that the CRA report, while important, will not be the deciding factor in the judge's deliberations. GET REAL-TIME UPDATES DIRECTLY ON THE True Crime Hub "The risk assessment report is something the parole board should consider. It's not a factor in resentencing," he explained. "The resentencing factors are Erik and Lyle's age at the time of the murders, being victims of sex abuse, conduct in prison, and rehabilitation." By focusing on those factors and deflecting the risk argument to the parole board, Rahmani said, the defense is strategically guiding the judge toward a decision that could make parole a possibility without declaring them free men today. Follow The Fox True Crime Team On X On Thursday, Jesic announced that they will reconvene on May 9. Erik Menendez was visibly annoyed and his brother Lyle was emotionless as their bid for freedom was pushed back. The brothers' attorney, Mark Geragos, filed a recusal motion against Hochman following the decision. A recusal motion requests that the individual steps away from a case because of a potential conflict of interest or bias that prevents them from operating impartially. Watch On Fox Nation: Menendez Brothers: Victims Or Villains? The Menendez brothers and their supporters have been pushing for a resentencing hearing, saying they were unfairly convicted to life in prison in 1996 for murdering their parents in their Beverly Hills home in 1989. Both Lyle and Erik Menendez have since come forward claiming their father sexually abused them, offering a different narrative of the killings than the story their attorneys told in the 1990s. 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 was greed. If the judge decides to resentence the Menendez brothers, it would then be up to the state parole board to consider their release. Fox News Digital's Stepheny Price and Mike Ruiz contributed to this article source: Menendez brothers attorney's focus on grisly photos part of strategic defense play to free killers: experts
Fox News
18-04-2025
- Fox News
Menendez brothers attorney's focus on grisly photos part of strategic defense play to free killers: experts
Erik and Lyle Menendez are leaning on a multipronged strategy as the brothers seek resentencing for their parents' California murders, legal experts said. The brothers' had their first resentencing hearing in Los Angeles on Thursday and will be back in court on May 9 as they try to get out of prison for killing their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez, in 1989. Los Angeles attorney Tre Lovell told Fox News Digital the defense is focusing on three major strategies: the brothers' rehabilitation, testimony from character witnesses, and revisiting the sexual abuse they claim to have endured as children. "They've changed since the crimes occurred," Lovell said, citing years of post-conviction efforts, including obtaining a college degree from UC Irvine, leading prison self-help classes, and starting support programs like Green Space and a hospice care initiative. "The resentencing criteria primarily focuses on post-conviction conduct to ensure that the defendants have changed and rehabilitated, and are not a threat to the public," he said. Supporting their request, the defense is expected to present testimony from prison guards, supporters, and family members, including those who once opposed their release. "The fact that family members now support their release is very powerful," Lovell added. WATCH: Defense attorney on 'grisly' photos shown New Jersey attorney David Gelman weighed in on the defense's recent pushback against the prosecution's use of graphic crime scene photos shown during a hearing last week. "The defense is presenting a good argument," Gelman told Fox News Digital. "They're saying the horrific pictures violated Marsy's Law, which is supposed to protect victims' rights." SIGN UP TO GET TRUE CRIME NEWSLETTER The defense claims Terry Baralt, the brothers' 85-year-old, was traumatized by viewing the graphic photos of the crime scene. She was hospitalized after the hearing. "We are devastated to share that Terry Baralt has been hospitalized and is in critical condition following the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office's cruel and careless conduct in court," a statement from the family read. "No physical pain has ever kept her from being there for her nephews. But the display put on by the DA's office pushed her past the brink." "I wouldn't want my family to see those images," Judge Michael Jesic said in court on Thursday. Gelman said that the defense's audience isn't public perception — but the judge. He said that painting District Attorney Nathan Hochman's office as "overzealous or vindictive" could help sway the decision in favor of the brothers' bid for freedom or a reduced sentence. The Comprehensive Risk Assessment (CRA) report, which was a psychological exam ordered by Gov. Gavin Newsom's office remains the biggest hurdle for the defense to overcome, Gelman said. Newsom's office told Fox News Digital that the risk assessment will be complete on June 13, 2025. They said that their office notified Jesic of the status of the CRA report and offered to share it with the court, if requested. "The judge has already said he won't rule until he sees the CRA reports," Gelman said. "If this is an even argument right now, the report will tip the scales one way or another." Neama Rahmani, former federal prosecutor and president of West Coast Trial Lawyers, said that the CRA report, while important, will not be the deciding factor in the judge's deliberations. GET REAL-TIME UPDATES DIRECTLY ON THE TRUE CRIME HUB "The risk assessment report is something the parole board should consider. It's not a factor in resentencing," he explained. "The resentencing factors are Erik and Lyle's age at the time of the murders, being victims of sex abuse, conduct in prison, and rehabilitation." By focusing on those factors and deflecting the risk argument to the parole board, Rahmani said, the defense is strategically guiding the judge toward a decision that could make parole a possibility without declaring them free men today. On Thursday, Jesic announced that they will reconvene on May 9. Erik Menendez was visibly annoyed and his brother Lyle was emotionless as their bid for freedom was pushed back. The brothers' attorney, Mark Geragos, filed a recusal motion against Hochman following the decision. A recusal motion requests that the individual steps away from a case because of a potential conflict of interest or bias that prevents them from operating impartially. The Menendez brothers and their supporters have been pushing for a resentencing hearing, saying they were unfairly convicted to life in prison in 1996 for murdering their parents in their Beverly Hills home in 1989. Both Lyle and Erik Menendez have since come forward claiming their father sexually abused them, offering a different narrative of the killings than the story their attorneys told in the 1990s. 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 was greed. If the judge decides to resentence the Menendez brothers, it would then be up to the state parole board to consider their release.
