California Governor Gavin Newsom Sets Parole Hearing Date for Menendez Brothers Amid Clemency Bid
California Governor Gavin Newsom recently announced a significant development in the ongoing legal battles surrounding the Menendez brothers, Lyle and Erik Menendez. During a podcast, Newsom revealed that the two brothers will have parole board hearings on June 13, 2025, where they will individually plead for clemency. These hearings are part of the ongoing process to determine whether the brothers will be granted a commutation, potentially altering their life sentences.
Lyle and Erik Menendez were convicted in 1996 for the brutal murders of their parents, José and Mary Louise “Kitty” Menendez, in 1989. After being sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, the brothers have spent decades in custody, their case drawing national attention and sparking debates about justice, abuse, and accountability.
Parole Hearing and Clemency Process
The parole board hearing, set for mid-June, will provide the Menendez brothers an opportunity to argue for clemency before the California Board of Parole Hearings. Following the hearing, a report will be submitted to Governor Newsom’s office to assist in making a decision regarding their sentences. Newsom emphasized that despite the recent opposition from Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman to the re-sentencing request, the clemency review process would continue independently of these developments.
“The new DA’s position on re-sentencing doesn’t impact the ongoing clemency review in my office,” Newsom stated on his podcast, “This is Gavin Newsom.” He further explained that after the parole board’s hearing, the report would be submitted for a final decision on the clemency request, which could potentially result in a commutation of their sentences.
District Attorney Nathan Hochman Opposes Clemency
Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman, who took office in December 2024, has publicly opposed the re-sentencing motion for the Menendez brothers. In a recent court filing, Hochman argued that the brothers have shown insufficient remorse for their actions and continue to deny their responsibility for the murders. According to Hochman, the Menendez brothers have refused to admit to their lies about self-defense, including their fabricated claims of their parents being victims of a mafia hit.
Hochman’s filing in early March 2025 includes an 88-page motion asking a judge to rescind the initial order for a re-sentencing hearing. He stated that the brothers have not demonstrated a genuine willingness to take responsibility for the killings, which he believes is a critical factor in reconsidering their sentences.
The Menendez Brothers’ Legal Team Responds
In response to Hochman’s position, the Menendez brothers’ attorney, Mark Geragos, has strongly criticized the District Attorney. Geragos stated that Hochman’s actions were politically motivated and aimed at re-traumatizing the victims’ families. He claimed that many family members of the Menendez brothers have expressed their support for the reconsideration of the case and opposed the ongoing legal battle, stating that it only adds more pain to the situation.
“There were 22 family members who signed petitions asking the DA to stop re-traumatizing them,” Geragos said in an interview. “This DA has made up his mind, and it’s clear he isn’t interested in listening to the victims’ families or the facts of the case.”
The Menendez brothers’ defense team maintains that Lyle and Erik acted out of self-defense after enduring years of abuse at the hands of their parents. They argue that the brothers were subjected to physical and sexual abuse, which ultimately led them to take drastic measures in what they believed was an attempt to protect themselves.
The Menendez Brothers’ Claims of Abuse
The Menendez brothers’ defense strategy has long been centered around their claims of abuse. During their trial in the 1990s, the brothers testified that they had been subjected to years of physical and sexual abuse by their father, José Menendez, and emotional abuse by their mother, Kitty Menendez. They argued that the killings were a desperate attempt to escape the horrors they had experienced in their household.
However, their claims have been met with skepticism over the years. Some critics argue that the brothers were motivated by greed and a desire to inherit their parents’ wealth, while others believe their abuse story has been exaggerated to justify their actions.
In the aftermath of the killings, the Menendez brothers initially tried to cover up their involvement by claiming that their parents had been murdered by mafia members. It wasn’t until later that they admitted to the killings, offering the self-defense argument as their justification.
What’s Next for the Menendez Brothers?
As the Menendez brothers await their June parole hearing, their legal team continues to push for clemency, arguing that the brothers have shown remorse for their actions and should be given a second chance. Meanwhile, Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman remains firm in his opposition, arguing that the brothers have not taken full responsibility for their crimes.
The outcome of the upcoming hearings and clemency review process remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: the Menendez brothers’ case will continue to be a topic of national debate for the foreseeable future. Their fate now rests in the hands of Governor Gavin Newsom, the California Board of Parole Hearings, and the state’s legal system.
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