'They could walk out:' D.A. to review Menendez brothers' conviction

L.A. County District Attorney George Gascón announced Thursday that his office is reviewing the notorious case of the Menendez brothers, convicted of brutally murdering their parents in Beverly Hills back in 1989.

According to Gascón, the review is being carried out in light of renewed allegations that the brothers were sexually abused by their father.

A request for resentencing was submitted in May of 2023, citing two new pieces of evidence.

One was a letter that Erik Menendez wrote to his cousin Andy months before the murders that allegedly detailed the sexual abuse at the hands of his father, Jose Menendez.

Former Menendez attorney Mark Geragos tells KNX News' Emily Valdez , "It shows that in real time, there was what in the law we call basically a pre-fresh complaint. It was a real-time cry to his cousin that corroborated the abuse that was going on." Journalist and documentary filmmaker Robert Rand uncovered the letter.

The second piece of evidence was a declaration by a former member of the boy band Menudo, named Roy Russell, who said he was taken to the Menendez house and was abused there.

The DA says he may decide to order the resentencing of brothers Lyle and Erik Menendez , who were 21 and 18 at the time of the crime.

"If they get resentenced, there are multiple things that could happen," Gascón said. Based on what the court decides, "They could walk out... or they can have the sentence given different shape. Perhaps they stay in  but for a lesser period, or they can have a new trial."

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Gascón said his office personnel has differing views regarding how this should play out. While each side will carefully review and present evidence for their recommendation, the final decision will ultimately be his.

The DA said he is keeping an open mind and, at the moment, is not leaning in any particular direction, "We have a hearing coming up on November 29th, and until we get there, we're not sure yet which direction this will go."

The murders are in the spotlight again largely due to a Netflix Drama about the case called Monsters, which has begun streaming recently.

Whether this announcement from Gascón relates to the show's popularity is unclear; however, he said, "My understanding is that the family, by and large, would like them to be released ."

Some familiar with the case question Gascón's announcement, seeing as the habeas petition was filed over a year ago. They wonder why the review process was initiated four weeks before an election to decide Gascón's future as DA .

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