Reaction from the Menendez brothers’ resentencing
LOS ANGELES (NBC, KYMA/KECY) - The Menendez brothers are being resentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole, which could lead to their potential release.
Following the judge's ruling, District Attorney Nathan Hochman spoke with reporters on the Mendendez brothers and the decision.
"I'm certainly considerate of the concerns of the public on both sides of this sort of legal fence," Hochman spoke.
Erik and Lyle Menendez, who appeared in blue prison jumpsuits through a video feed in court, learned they have been resentenced to 50 years to life, making them eligible for parole.
"Tears and smiles, I only had about 20 seconds with them," said Cliff Gardner, he appellate attorney who first filed the resentencing petition in 2023.
The brothers, who earned college degrees behind bars, created programs for inmates, including those who victims of sexual abuse.
"The fact is the Menendez brothers have done remarkable work and today is a great day after 35 years," said Mark Geragos, the brothers' attorney.
However, Hochman doesn't see it that way.
"These are two individuals who brutally shotgun their parents. By the way, not just their father, but their mother as well, and then lied about it for 30 years, have engaged in a cover-up for 30 years, and have never completely accepted responsibility for all their actions," Hochman explained.
The anticipated two day hearing wrapped up on day one.
"Any time you reach a ruling immediately after you've heard all the evidence, "and you rule for about four to five minutes, you pretty much had an idea what you were going to say from the get-go. But that being said, the judge allowed both sides to present whatever arguments or evidence they wanted to, which is his job, and then he made his decision."
Nathan Hochman, Los Angeles District Attorney
"And now, we see the pot at the end of the rainbow, so to speak, or their freedom," Geragos expressed.
Hockman said not so fast, saying it's not guaranteed they will get parole.
Hochman also drew a parallel with another high profile L.A. murder case: Sirhan Sirhan, the killer of Robert F. Kennedy.
"The parole board recommended parole, Governor Newsom reversed that grant of parole, keeping Sirhan Sirhan behind bars today, saying that because he had not completely accepted full insight and responsibility for all his criminal actions over those years, that outweighed all the pro-parole factors. So we'll see if Governor Newsom applies that standard."
