Erik and Lyle Menendez virtually appeared in California court on Monday, marking their first public appearance since 1996.
The pair appeared before Judge Michael Jesic via screen to determine if next month’s resentencing hearing will continue as planned or if they must instead wait for Los Angeles District Attorney-elect Nathan Hochman to replace outgoing DA George Gascón.
Apart from the usual suspects, 16 people were allowed into the Van Nuys courtroom on Monday, selected by random draw.
Most recently, California Gov. Gavin Newsom said last week he would not be making any clemency decisions until DA-elect Hochman has a chance to do an official review of the case.
“The Governor respects the role of the District Attorney in ensuring justice is served and recognizes that voters have entrusted District Attorney-elect Hochman to carry out this responsibility,” Newsom’s office said in a statement to TheWrap. “The Governor will defer to the DA-elect’s review and analysis of the Menendez case prior to making any clemency decisions.”
That update itself came after Hochman explained his point of view on the Menendez Brothers, particularly how his stance differs from that of DA Gascón, who recommended resentencing and parole eligibility for the pair in October.
“You’ve really got to get beyond the Netflix documentary,” Hochman told “Good Morning America” earlier in November. “If you decide this case based on just viewing a Netflix documentary, you are doing a disservice to the Menendez brothers, to the victims’ family members, to the public.”
“Part of the problem with the Gascón timing of his decision is there’s a cloud over that credibility. Is it a just decision, or was it a political ploy?” he further questioned. “There will be no cloud over whatever decision I do.”
Lyle and Erik, now 56 and 53 years old, respectively, have been imprisoned since being found guilty of the 1989 double murder of their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez. Both were initially given life sentences without the possibility of parole in 1996.
As all three of the above men have noted, the renewed public interest in the case can be attributed to Ryan Murphy’s Netflix series “Monsters: The Erik and Lyle Menendez Story,” as well as other similar docuseries out this year. Still to come, a December hearing has also been set to determine next steps.
The post Menendez Brothers Make First Court Appearance in 28 Years for Virtual Resentencing Hearing appeared first on TheWrap.
