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Courtroom Fireworks Delay Resentencing
The long-anticipated resentencing hearing for Erik and Lyle Menendez was unexpectedly delayed after tensions flared in the courtroom and attorneys held a private session with the judge. A closed-door meeting between Judge Michael Jesic, defense attorney Mark Geragos, and Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman resulted in the hearing being postponed until further notice.
The interruption followed a heated exchange between the legal teams, centered around a risk assessment report recently conducted by the California Board of Parole Hearings at the request of Governor Gavin Newsom. Geragos criticized the prosecution’s move to delay the hearing as a last-ditch effort, while Hochman insisted the report was essential to the court’s decision-making.
Risk Report at the Center of Dispute
Late Wednesday, prosecutors filed a motion urging the court to obtain and consider the risk assessment before proceeding. The hearing will now resume on May 9 to determine whether the report is admissible. At that time, Geragos also plans to file a motion seeking to recuse Hochman and his team from the case altogether.
Judge Jesic, clearly frustrated by the ongoing friction, stated he needed clarification from the governor’s office about the report’s role, calling the situation “stupid” due to the lack of procedural clarity.
A Chance at Freedom After 35 Years
Erik and Lyle Menendez have spent over three decades behind bars for the 1989 murders of their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez. With growing support for their release, the resentencing hearing had been seen as a major step toward potential freedom.
Their defense argues that both brothers, who were under 26 at the time of the crime, should be considered for a revised sentence of 50 years to life. With time served, this could make them immediately eligible for parole.
If the hearing resumes, it is expected to span several days and feature testimony from ten family members, a prison expert, and a former inmate.
Tensions Between the DA and Defense
The courtroom delay came on the heels of a major victory for the brothers just a week earlier. Judge Jesic had rejected Hochman’s attempt to withdraw the resentencing petition originally filed by former District Attorney George Gascón. Gascón had supported a revised sentence and praised the brothers’ rehabilitation efforts in prison.
During that hearing, Hochman argued that the brothers lacked accountability and continued to present what he called false claims of self-defense and abuse. Geragos fired back, labeling Hochman a “’90s Neanderthal” for dismissing the brothers’ allegations of past trauma.
Despite Hochman’s objections, Judge Jesic ruled in favor of the Menendez brothers, stating that the resentencing would proceed.
Widespread Support and Alternate Paths
The Menendez brothers continue to receive support from more than 20 family members, including cousin Diane VanderMolen, who relayed a message from Erik expressing deep remorse for their actions and a commitment to personal growth.
In addition to resentencing, the brothers are also pursuing two other avenues for potential release:
- Clemency Request – Governor Newsom has initiated a risk assessment as part of their clemency petition. Independent parole board hearings are expected to follow in June.
- Habeas Corpus Petition – The brothers are seeking a review based on newly discovered evidence, including a letter Erik wrote to a cousin describing alleged abuse and accusations from a former boy band member who claimed Jose Menendez had also abused him.
While Hochman has challenged the credibility of these claims, the defense insists they are critical to understanding the full context of the case.
As the legal battles continue, the fate of the Menendez brothers remains uncertain—but the momentum behind their push for release has never been stronger.
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