August 5, 2025 The Best Source of News, Culture, Lifestyle for Culver City, Mar Vista, Del Rey, Palms and West Los Angeles

Judge Reduces Menendez Brothers’ Life Terms, Citing Sincere Rehabilitation

Menendez Brothers Express Remorse as Judge Grants Path to Parole

More than three decades after they were imprisoned for the killing of their parents, Lyle and Erik Menendez have been resentenced to terms that make them eligible for parole, a Los Angeles judge ruled Tuesday.

Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Michael Jesic reduced the brothers’ sentences from life without the possibility of parole to 50 years to life, following a full day of testimony and support from prison staff. Jesic stated that he was moved to grant the request of the brothers after receiving a letter from a prison official who supported the resentencing, which was something that had never happened before in his 25 years as a judge. 

The decision aligns with California’s youthful offender law, which allows inmates convicted under the age of 26 to seek parole after serving a lengthy portion of their sentence because youthful offenders committed their crimes before their brains were still in the adolescent stage and have not fully matured to adulthood. Youthful offenders lack the impulse control, the ability to make decisions with a full understanding of the consequences, and are more susceptible to outside influences like trauma or peer pressure. 

Judge Jesic’s decision is one that Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman had argued vehemently against since taking office. He even fired the two assistant district attorneys who wrote the original resentencing motion and withdrew it. 

The former Los Angeles County prosecutor who recommended resentencing for Lyle and Erik Menendez said Tuesday’s ruling confirms the validity of his original proposal. Deputy District Attorney Brock Lunsford, who submitted the recommendation in October 2024, called the court’s decision a triumph of legal integrity over political pressure.

“While [Nancy Theberge and I] paid for it with our jobs, I’m still grateful to see the rule of law prevail over politics today,” Lunsford said in a statement following the resentencing. 

During the hearing, both brothers appeared via videolink and spoke frankly about the crime and admitted their fault. Lyle Menendez said, “I take full responsibility. I killed my parents. I made the choice to kill my mom and dad in their own home. I made the choice to make a mockery of the justice system. I offer no excuse and I don’t blame my parents,” he said. Even after I killed him, I still heard his voice. I’m deeply ashamed for what I did.”

Erik Menendez said, “I fired all five rounds at my parents and went back to reload. I lied to police. I lied to my family. I’m truly sorry,” Both brothers also apologized to their family for the crime. 

Jesic’s ruling does not guarantee the brothers’ release. The California parole board will determine whether they should be freed after serving more than 35 years for the high-profile murders.

A parole board hearing is already scheduled for the brothers on June 13, 2025. Once the parole board makes a decision, Governor Gavin Newsom will review the ruling. It can take 150 days after a hearing for the final decision to be made. 

Additionally, there is a pending plea for clemency from Governor Newsom from the Menendez brothers and their legal team, which could free the brothers should the parole board hearing fail.

in News
Related Posts

Woman Shot During Attempted Electric Bicycle Robbery in Culver City

August 4, 2025

August 4, 2025

Suspects Remain at Large After Confrontation Ends in Gunfire Early Monday morning, gunfire erupted during an attempted robbery on Sepulveda...

DUI Suspect Crashed Into Parked Cars in Culver City, Injuring Residents

August 4, 2025

August 4, 2025

Crash Sent Three People to the Hospital on Sunday Afternoon  Culver City Police arrested a man Sunday afternoon following a...

Elvis Meets Oedipus at the Getty Villa in Fall Premiere of Oedipus the King, Mama!

August 4, 2025

August 4, 2025

Getty Villa Stages Rock-Fueled Oedipus Satire Under the Stars The Getty Villa Museum will bring the myth of Oedipus to...

Culver City Approves 344-Unit Project, Drops Office Space From Jefferson Site Plan

August 3, 2025

August 3, 2025

More Housing, Less Office Space as Long-Stalled Site Moves Toward Construction Culver City officials have signed off on a revised...

Cary Grant’s Former Beverly Hills Estate Hits Market for $77.5M

August 3, 2025

August 3, 2025

Rebuilt by His Widow, the Home Now Offers Sweeping Views Once owned by Hollywood legend Cary Grant, a Beverly Hills...

LA Housing Permits Rebound in Q2: Wildfire Rebuild and Fast-Tracked Reviews Spur Modest Growth

August 3, 2025

August 3, 2025

New Data Shows a 37% Quarterly Jump in Residential Permits, Long-Term Uncertainty Looms Residential development in Los Angeles picked up...

Federal Court Upholds Stay on Trump-Era Immigration Raids in California

August 3, 2025

August 3, 2025

Detention Horror Stories and Legal Pressure Keep Feds at Bay  A federal appeals court on Friday upheld a temporary order...

Two LA County Deputies Charged in Off-Duty Scheme Tied to Crypto ‘Godfather’

August 2, 2025

August 2, 2025

Deputies Accused of Abusing Law Enforcement Powers for Beverly Hills Mogul One Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department deputy pleaded guilty,...

Metro Releases Draft Environmental Report for Sepulveda Transit Project, Public Comment Now Open

August 2, 2025

August 2, 2025

Six Route Alternatives Under Review for Valley-To-Westside Connection The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) has released its Draft...

Trump Administration Freezes $200M in UCLA Research Funds Over Student Protests

August 2, 2025

August 2, 2025

UCLA Says Freeze Harms Life-Saving Research With No Connection to Stated Reason Donald Trump’s administration has blocked $200 million in...

Culver City’s National Night Out Returns August 5 With K9 Demo, Live Music, and Fun

August 2, 2025

August 2, 2025

This Year’s Celebration Moves to the Culver Steps to Encourage Community Spirit Culver City’s annual National Night Out celebration returns...

City Installs Crosswalks In Sawtelle District After Residents Paint Their Own

August 1, 2025

August 1, 2025

Los Angeles Begins Official Safety Upgrades Near Stoner Park City crews began installing official crosswalks Friday near Stoner Park in...

HARD Summer Returns This Weekend With New Sound Strategy After 2024 Noise Complaints

August 1, 2025

August 1, 2025

Sold-Out EDM and Hip-Hop Festival Runs Saturday and Sunday at Hollywood Park The HARD Summer music festival is set to...

Free Document Shredding, Electronics Recycling Set for Saturday in Culver City

August 1, 2025

August 1, 2025

Culver City Offers Secure Way to Recycle Tech and Shred Paper This Weekend Residents will have the opportunity to responsibly...

Last Call: Culver City Wants Your Input in Hiring Its Next City Manager

July 31, 2025

July 31, 2025

Public Survey Open Through August 1 Invites Residents to Weigh In As Culver City begins its search for a new...