Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascón is advocating for clemency for Lyle and Erik Menendez, who are serving life sentences for killing their parents in 1989. Gascón stated that the brothers have shown rehabilitation efforts during their 34 years in prison and deserve a chance for release. The brothers have submitted clemency requests to Governor Gavin Newsom, but there is no timeline for a decision.
The Menendez brothers were convicted of murder after claiming they were sexually abused by their father. Gascón has also recommended resentencing the brothers to 50 years to life, making them eligible for parole immediately due to their age at the time of the crime. A hearing on their resentencing is scheduled for December.
The brothers’ attorneys argue that they were victims of long-term sexual abuse, leading to the tragic events in 1989. Both brothers have worked towards rehabilitation while behind bars, earning degrees and creating programs to help fellow inmates. Their attorneys highlight the fact that the brothers were young when they committed the crime and are now in their 50s, making them strong candidates for clemency.
The Menendez brothers shot their parents with shotguns in their Beverly Hills home, leading to a high-profile trial in the 1990s. Prosecutors argued they were motivated by greed to inherit their parents’ fortune. Now, with Gascón’s support for clemency and resentencing, the brothers may soon have a chance for release after decades in prison.
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