Latest news with #KittyMenendez
BreakingNews.ie
21-05-2025
- BreakingNews.ie
Parole hearing for Menendez brothers delayed until August
Erik and Lyle Menendez's hearing in front of the California state parole board has been pushed back to August, their attorneys said. The delay comes after governor Gavin Newsom withdrew his request for the parole board to evaluate the brothers for clemency as they seek their freedom after 35 years behind bars for killing their parents. Advertisement The brothers were sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for fatally shooting their father, Jose Menendez, and mother, Kitty Menendez, in their Beverly Hills mansion in 1989. They were 18 and 21 at the time. A Los Angeles judge opened the door to freedom last week by giving the brothers a new sentence of 50 years to life, making them immediately eligible for parole under California law because they were under the age of 26 when they committed their crimes. They initially had a clemency hearing scheduled in June, but it has since been converted to a parole suitability hearing and pushed back to August 21 and 22, their lawyers said. Scott Wyckoff, executive officer of the California Board of Parole Hearings, said in an email to attorneys on both sides that Mr Newsom withdrew the request for a clemency investigation last Thursday in light of the judge's re-sentencing decision. Advertisement The governor's office declined to comment on the decision but noted that the clemency application was still considered active. The brothers' cousin, Anamaria Baralt, said in a video posted on her TikTok that the change would benefit the brothers, given that many people are not granted parole at their first hearing. 'This is not a bad thing,' Ms Baralt said. 'Most people prepare for parole for like a year… the more time that they can have to prepare, the better.' Advertisement
The Independent
14-05-2025
- The Independent
What to know about the Menendez brothers' lives and what lies ahead
Lyle and Erik Menendez were 21 and 18 when they killed their parents. Now, at 57 and 54, the brothers are eligible for parole after a Los Angeles judge Tuesday reduced their sentences from life in prison without parole to 50 years to life. In August 1989, the brothers killed their father Jose Menendez and mother Kitty Menendez in their Beverly Hills home. While defense attorneys argued the brothers acted out of self-defense after years of sexual abuse by their father, prosecutors said they killed their parents for a substantial inheritance. The saga has captured the public's attention over the decades, spawning documentaries and television specials, as the brothers have lived out their adult years in incarceration. Here's what to know about their lives and what lies ahead: A wealthy upbringing After moving from New Jersey, the family settled into a multi-million dollar Spanish-style mansion in the wealthy Beverly Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles. Jose Menendez, was a powerful entertainment executive, and his wife, Kitty, a former beauty queen he met in college. At the time, Lyle was attending Princeton University but struggling academically, and Erik was a young tennis star. In the aftermath of the killings, the family discovered Jose Menendez's 1981 will, which left everything to the two brothers. An opinion from the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals details the spending spree that Erik and Lyle went on, thinking they were poised to inherit millions. Lyle bought three Rolex watches, a Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet, and a restaurant in Princeton, New Jersey, while Erik purchased a Jeep Wrangler and hired a full-time tennis coach, according to the court document. The brothers addressed the lavish spending in a Netflix documentary, 'The Menendez Brothers,' that came out last October. 'The idea that I was having a good time is absurd,' Erik said in a recorded phone call from prison. 'Everything was to cover up this horrible pain of not wanting to be alive.' The family said that in reality there was no inheritance — whatever assets Jose had were gobbled up by legal fees and taxes, and both of his properties were sold at a loss. Reunited after decades apart Lyle Menendez was transferred to the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego County in 2018, reuniting him with Erik Menendez, who was brought there in 2013. Before that Lyle spent decades housed at Mule Creek State Prison in northern California, while Erik was at Pleasant Valley State Prison in Coalinga, California. They could only keep in touch through letters. Anerae Brown, who spent time at both facilities as an inmate, described Pleasant Valley as a segregated and 'hyperviolent environment" while testifying at the brothers' resentencing hearing. There was one instance where Brown was attacked by five men with weapons. Doing the things that Erik participated in, such as school and self-help classes, would put a target on one's back, Brown said. The brothers each got married in prison Lyle Menendez first married Anna Erickson, a former model, in 1996 before he surrendered to prison. They divorced in 2001. In 2008, he married attorney Rebecca Sneed. She announced on Facebook last November that the two had separated but 'remain best friends and family.' She continues to run his Facebook page, where she has posted updates on the brothers' resentencing case. Erik Menendez married Tammi Menendez in 1999 after corresponding with her as a pen pal for years. She has a daughter from her first marriage, and both were at court Tuesday for the brothers' resentencing hearing. Conjugal visits are prohibited for those sentenced to life without parole under California law. Plans if released If the brothers are released from prison, their cousin, Diane Hernandez, and several family members said they would welcome the brothers into their homes. They also would immediately visit their aging aunts, Hernandez said. Joan VanderMolen, Kitty Menendez's sister, is now 93 and has been calling for Erik and Lyle's release since last fall. Her health has deteriorated since then, Hernandez said. Terry Baralt, Jose Menendez's sister, has been battling cancer and was recently hospitalized after attending a hearing in April. Her cancer recently advanced to Stage 4, her daughter said in court. Lyle Menendez said at his resentencing hearing Tuesday that he longs to reunite with his relatives. 'I look forward to be able to reunite with my extended family and continue the journey of healing that has sustained me through my incarceration,' he said. The brothers have also indicated they would continue the work they started in prison that has supported fellow inmates to help others in society. Lyle said he hoped to advocate for survivors of sexual abuse and serve the incarcerated community. Tamara Goodell, another cousin, said in court that Lyle was excited to expand the Green Space Project he had started at the Richard J. Donovan facility to other prisons. The project was inspired by the Norwegian approach to incarceration that believes humane prison environments leads to more successful reintegration into society. Erik Menendez has said he would like to expand the Life Care and Hospice program he co-founded, which connects elderly and disabled inmates with younger inmates to serve as aids. 'At a certain point, something shifted in me," Erik said. "I started living with purpose.'
The Guardian
14-05-2025
- The Guardian
Menendez brothers ‘huge step' closer to freedom as judge reduces sentences
After months of delays and decades behind bars, Erik and Lyle Menendez now have a long-awaited chance at freedom after a judge reduced their sentences for the 1989 killings of their parents. Their family and massive network of supporters celebrated Tuesday when Judge Michael Jesic resentenced the brothers from life in prison without the possibility of parole to 50 years to life. The judge's decision means they are immediately eligible for parole under California's youthful offender law because of their young ages at the time of the murders. Soon they will appear before the parole board, which will decide whether or not they should be released. Their freedom is not guaranteed, but this week's developments bring them closer than they've ever been to leaving prison. 'They are a real family,' Mark Geragos, the brothers' lead attorney, said after the hearing. 'Real people who have lived through unimaginable horrors. And I'm hopeful and glad that we're one huge step closer to bringing the boys home.' Their release could at last bring a close to a case that has dominated headlines and captured public attention for nearly four decades. In 1989, Lyle, a 21-year-old student at Princeton, and Erik, an 18-year-old tennis star, attacked their parents with shotguns as they watched television and ate ice-cream in their Beverly Hills home. Jose, a prominent entertainment executive, was shot five times, while Kitty was shot nine times. The brothers initially said the killings were related to the mafia or their father's business, but eventually they confessed, and said that they had killed their parents in self-defense. They said they feared their parents were going to kill them to prevent them from speaking out about the long-term sexual abuse they experienced from their father. Prosecutors argued the brothers killed their parents in order to receive their multimillion-dollar inheritance. They were convicted of the murders in 1996 after two heavily covered trials – their first trial was one of the first to be almost entirely televised on Court TV. But in recent years the prevailing narrative around the brothers and their crimes began to shift – in part due to viral TikToks that focused on their allegations of abuse. Attention intensified in the last year and a half. First, letter written by Erik to his late cousin before the killings that corroborated his allegations of abuse surfaced after it was found among family belongings in 2018. Then, a former member of the band Menudo said he, too, was abused by Jose Menendez as a young teen in the 1980s. Erik and Lyle filed filed a habeas petition in 2023, which challenged their convictions as unconstitutional. But 2024 brought significantly more focus on the case – and movement. It was the subject of a documentary and Netflix series. Erik and Lyle received an outpouring support from criminal justice reform advocates, including Kim Kardashian. And George Gascón, the progressive former Los Angeles county district attorney, said he believed the brothers' accounts of abuse and that they had been rehabilitated. He recommended they be resentenced, opening the door to their release. The current district attorney, Nathan Hochman, who beat Gascón in the November election, quickly reversed course and sought twice to withdraw the resentencing petition. He argued the brothers had not taken full responsibility for their crimes and his office has said it does not believe they were abused. But the proceedings eventually moved ahead and after several delays due to the LA wildfires and disputes between the defense and prosecution, Erik and Lyle, now 54 and 57 respectively, were back in court on Tuesday where several family members and supporters spoke on their behalf. The brothers have the support of their entire family – with the exception of a recently deceased uncle – who have said they forgive the brothers and want them to be freed. Relatives spoke about the abused the brothers they faced, their accomplishments and prison and the desire to see them released. 'We all, on both sides of the family, believe that 35 years is enough,' she told the court. 'They are universally forgiven by the family.' Jonathan Colby, a retired judge, told the court that he considered himself tough on crime but he had got to know the brothers and was impressed with the programs they started in prison to provide aid and care for older and disabled prisoners. 'There's not many prisoners I meet like Erik and Lyle that have such concern for the elderly,' he said. Anerae Brown, who was once incarcerated with the brothers, cried as he testified about how they helped him heal and get on the path to rehabilitation, leading to his release from prison, and called the programs they started 'Menendez University'. Erik and Lyle attended the proceedings virtually and read statements to the court, acknowledging the impact of the crimes. 'You did not deserve what I did to you, but you inspire me to do better,' Erik Menendez said, addressing his family. Jesic issued his decision immediately after the brothers spoke, and granted them a new sentence of 50 years to life. Because they were under 26 at the time of the murders, they are immediately eligible for parole. Hochman, the LA district attorney, said his office's opposition to their resentencing 'ensured that the court was presented with all the facts before making such a consequential decision'. 'The decision to resentence Erik and Lyle Menendez was a monumental one that has significant implications for the families involved, the community, and the principles of justice,' District Attorney Hochman said. 'Our office's motions to withdraw the resentencing motion filed by the previous administration ensured that the court was presented with all the facts before making such a consequential decision.' The brothers are expected to appear before the parole board on 13 June for a clemency petition they submitted to the governor – though it's not yet clear if that will serve as their parole hearing or if additional proceedings will be scheduled. If parole is granted, and California's governor allows the decision to stand, they will be released. Legal analysts anticipated they will be granted parole. 'The brothers are very likely to be released within a matter of months. The parole board is going to be overwhelmed with voices in support of the brothers,' said Neama Rahmani, a former assistant US attorney and the president of West Coast Trial Lawyers. 'Every living family member of Jose and Kitty Menendez supported their release, which is almost unheard of in a murder case like this one.' The Associated Press contributed
Kuwait Times
14-05-2025
- Kuwait Times
Menendez brothers resentenced, parole now possible
LOS ANGELES: Lyle and Erik Menendez, who have spent more than three decades behind bars for the grisly shotgun murders of their parents in the family's luxury Beverly Hills home, could soon walk free after a judge on Tuesday reduced their life sentences. The ruling came after an emotional court hearing in Los Angeles during which the men took full responsibility for the 1989 double killing. "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. Jesic reduced the men's original sentences of life without the possibility of parole to a term of 50 years to life. The time they have already spent behind bars means they are already eligible to apply for parole, with a hearing scheduled for next month. The pair have spent two years trying to get their sentences reduced, with a public campaign bolstered by celebrity support from the likes of Kim Kardashian and supercharged by the hit Netflix miniseries "Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story." Blockbuster trials in the 1990s heard how the men killed Jose and Kitty Menendez in their Beverly Hills mansion, in what prosecutors said was a cynical attempt to get their hands on a large family fortune. After setting up alibis and trying to cover their tracks, the men shot Jose Menendez five times with shotguns, including in the kneecaps. Kitty Menendez died from a shotgun blast as she tried desperately to crawl away from her killers. The brothers initially blamed the deaths on a mafia hit, but changed their story several times in the ensuing months. Erik, then 18, confessed to the murders in a session with his therapist. The pair ultimately claimed they had acted in self-defense after years of emotional and sexual abuse at the hands of a tyrannical father. During their decades in prison, changing social mores and greater awareness of sexual abuse helped elevate the men to something approaching cultural icons, a status that was nourished by a parade of docudramas and TV miniseries. Legal hearings have been so popular that court managers used a lottery system for the public gallery. 'Full responsibility' On Tuesday, Lyle Menendez, now aged 57, addressed the court via videolink, admitting he had murdered his parents. "I take full responsibility for all my choices ... the choice to point a gun at my mom and dad... the choice to reload... the choice to run and to hide and to do anything I could to get away," he said, according to reporters who were in court. His brother, Erik, 54, told the court he had been wrong to take the law into his own hands and said his actions were cruel and cowardly. "I have no excuse, no justification. I take full responsibility," he said. "I reached out to my brother for help and convinced him that we couldn't escape. "I fired five rounds at my parents and went to get more ammunition. I lied to police, lied to my family. I am truly sorry." The men's family had earlier pleaded with the judge to show mercy, showcasing the work they have done in prison, including working with terminally ill inmates. Their cousin Anamaria Baralt told the hearing they were reformed and had earned their freedom. "We believe that 35 years is enough," she said. "They are universally forgiven by our family. They deserve a second chance at life." Diane Hernandez, niece of Kitty Menendez, said the brothers were "remarkable human beings." "There is absolutely no chance that they would break the law" if released, she said. "Their only desire is to do good." Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman had opposed the resentencing, insisting that without a full accounting of the lies they had told — he said they gave five explanations for the murders — they should not be allowed out of prison. Under California law, if a parole board recommends the grant of parole for someone convicted of murder, Governor Gavin Newsom has the right to affirm, reverse or modify their decision. — AFP
IOL News
14-05-2025
- IOL News
Menendez brothers resentenced, parole now possible
Erik and Lyle Menendez. Image: Supplied Lyle and Erik Menendez, who have spent more than three decades behind bars for the grisly shotgun murders of their parents in the family's luxury Beverly Hills home, could soon walk free after a judge on Tuesday reduced their life sentences. The ruling came after an emotional court hearing in Los Angeles during which the men took full responsibility for the 1989 double killing. "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. Jesic reduced the men's original sentences of life without the possibility of parole to a term of 50 years to life. The time they have already spent behind bars means they are already eligible to apply for parole, with a hearing scheduled for next month. The pair have spent two years trying to get their sentences reduced, with a public campaign bolstered by celebrity support from the likes of Kim Kardashian and supercharged by the hit Netflix miniseries "Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story." Blockbuster trials in the 1990s heard how the men killed Jose and Kitty Menendez in their Beverly Hills mansion, in what prosecutors said was a cynical attempt to get their hands on a large family fortune. After setting up alibis and trying to cover their tracks, the men shot Jose Menendez five times with shotguns, including in the kneecaps. Kitty Menendez died from a shotgun blast as she tried desperately to crawl away from her killers. The brothers initially blamed the deaths on a mafia hit, but changed their story several times in the ensuing months. Erik, then 18, confessed to the murders in a session with his therapist. The pair ultimately claimed they had acted in self-defense after years of emotional and sexual abuse at the hands of a tyrannical father. During their decades in prison, changing social mores and greater awareness of sexual abuse helped elevate the men to something approaching cultural icons, a status that was nourished by a parade of docudramas and TV miniseries. Legal hearings have been so popular that court managers used a lottery system for the public gallery. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ 'Full responsibility' On Tuesday, Lyle Menendez, now aged 57, addressed the court via videolink, admitting he had murdered his parents. "I take full responsibility for all my choices... the choice to point a gun at my mom and dad... the choice to reload... the choice to run and to hide and to do anything I could to get away," he said, according to reporters who were in court. His brother, Erik, 54, told the court he had been wrong to take the law into his own hands and said his actions were cruel and cowardly. "I have no excuse, no justification. I take full responsibility," he said. "I reached out to my brother for help and convinced him that we couldn't escape. "I fired five rounds at my parents and went to get more ammunition. I lied to police, lied to my family. I am truly sorry." The men's family had earlier pleaded with the judge to show mercy, showcasing the work they have done in prison, including working with terminally ill inmates. Their cousin Anamaria Baralt told the hearing they were reformed and had earned their freedom. "We believe that 35 years is enough," she said. "They are universally forgiven by our family. They deserve a second chance at life." Diane Hernandez, niece of Kitty Menendez, said the brothers were "remarkable human beings." "There is absolutely no chance that they would break the law" if released, she said. "Their only desire is to do good." Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman had opposed the resentencing, insisting that without a full accounting of the lies they had told -- he said they gave five explanations for the murders -- they should not be allowed out of prison. Under California law, if a parole board recommends the grant of parole for someone convicted of murder, Governor Gavin Newsom has the right to affirm, reverse or modify their decision.
