During a press conference on Thursday, Gascón stated that after careful review, he believes resentencing is appropriate under current laws. “We don’t have universal agreement on this decision,” Gascón admitted. “Some strongly believe they should remain in prison for life, while others argue that new evidence justifies a reevaluation of their sentences.”
The Menendez brothers were 21 and 18 years old when they were convicted of murdering their parents. According to Gascón, under current legal guidelines, offenders under the age of 26 at the time of their crimes are eligible for parole. If the court accepts Gascón’s recommendation, the brothers’ life sentences without parole could be reduced, making them eligible for immediate parole.
New evidence and renewed interest
Gascón’s decision comes in light of renewed interest in the Menendez case, sparked by the release of Netflix’s “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story” and an upcoming documentary featuring the brothers. Moreover, recent allegations have added a new layer to the case. Former Menudo band member Roy Rossello recently came forward, claiming that José Menendez had sexually abused him in the 1980s. This, along with a letter Erik Menendez wrote to his cousin in 2015, has led to questions about whether the brothers’ claims of abuse were wrongly dismissed during their trial.
Despite the new revelations, prosecutors originally argued that there was no evidence to support the brothers’ claims of sexual abuse by their father, asserting that the motive behind the murders was to inherit their parents’ fortune. Gascón’s recommendation has sparked controversy, with some supporters of the brothers arguing that the societal understanding of abuse has evolved, and others criticizing the potential release of two convicted murderers.
What happens next?
Ultimately, the final decision rests with the judge, who has 30 days to respond to Gascón’s recommendation. If accepted, the Menendez brothers could be resentenced to 50 years to life, which would make them eligible for immediate parole due to the time they’ve already served. Their defense attorney, Mark Geragos, has expressed optimism, suggesting that Erik and Lyle could be free by Thanksgiving. “They’ve spent over 35 years in prison. It’s time to recognize how much we’ve evolved in our understanding of trauma and abuse,” Geragos said.
The case, which initially captured national headlines due to its shocking details, has continued to fascinate the public for decades. For some, the brothers remain cold-blooded killers; for others, they are tragic figures who acted out of desperation and fear. As the legal process unfolds, the Menendez brothers’ fate hangs in the balance, once again putting the spotlight on a case that has never truly faded from the public consciousness.
